remember

verb

re·​mem·​ber ri-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce remember (audio)
remembered; remembering ri-ˈmem-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce remember (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to bring to mind or think of again
remembers the old days
2
archaic
b
: remind
3
a
: to keep in mind for attention or consideration
remembers friends at Christmas
b
: reward
was remembered in the will
4
: to retain in the memory
remember the facts until the test is over
5
: to convey greetings from
remember me to her
6

intransitive verb

1
: to exercise or have the power of memory
2
: to have a recollection or remembrance
rememberability noun
rememberable adjective
rememberer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for remember

remember, recollect, recall, remind, reminisce mean to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind.

remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

Examples of remember in a Sentence

I remember my first day of school like it was yesterday. Do you remember me? I used to work with you many years ago. Remember when we went hiking last summer? I remember telling him not to do it, but he did it anyway. I remember what that felt like. As far as I can remember, I've never been late to a meeting. I couldn't remember how to spell her name. I can't remember where I put that book. I remembered that I had left my wallet at home. What was it that I was going to ask him? I can't remember.
Recent Examples on the Web Just remember to thaw the frozen topping for 3 hours (or overnight) in the refrigerator before using. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 Just remember to check local regulations because season openers for many species vary from state to state. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 14 Mar. 2024 Please remember administration is not responsible for loss due to not following the rules of our giveaway due to incorrect transactions or the use of unreliable sources. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Mar. 2024 As the older kids, Troy and Amy remember their father as an aggrieved and angry man. Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Barnett and Amber, Season 1 Amber wasn’t the only one Barnett connected with in the pods — remember Jessica, who let her dog drink her wine? Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2024 Andrea Echeverri, lead vocalist of Aterciopelados, remembers the era well. Beverly Bryan, SPIN, 14 Mar. 2024 Voters returning their ballot by mail should remember to sign and date the ballot envelope to ensure their vote will count. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 Hill remembers going to Drexel Mack’s house in south Kansas City on Saturdays for a couple games of 2K. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'remember.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English remembren, from Anglo-French remembrer, from Late Latin rememorari, from Latin re- + Late Latin memorari to be mindful of, from Latin memor mindful — more at memory

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of remember was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near remember

Cite this Entry

“Remember.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remember. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

remember

verb
re·​mem·​ber ri-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce remember (audio)
remembered; remembering -b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce remember (audio)
1
: to bring to mind or think of again
remembers the old days
2
a
: to keep in mind for attention
remember friends at Christmas
b
: reward entry 1 sense 1
was remembered in the will
3
: to keep in the memory
remember the facts for the test
4
: to pass along greetings from
remember us to your family
rememberable adjective
rememberer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on remember

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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