memorial

1 of 2

adjective

me·​mo·​ri·​al mə-ˈmȯr-ē-əl 

1

: serving to preserve remembrance : commemorative

2

: of or relating to memory

memorially

mə-ˈmȯr-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

memorial

2 of 2

noun

1

: something that keeps remembrance alive: such as

a

: monument

b

: something (such as a speech or ceremony) that commemorates

c

: keepsake, memento

2

a

: record, memoir

language and literature … the memorials of another age

—J. H. Fisher

b

: memorandum, note

specifically : a legal abstract

c

: a statement of facts addressed to a government and often accompanied by a petition or remonstrance

Synonyms

Adjective

• commemorating
• commemorative
• honorary
• memorializing

Noun

• commemorative
• keepsake
• memento
• monument
• remembrance
• reminder
• souvenir
• token

Examples of memorial in a Sentence

Adjective

a memorial plaque on the bridge for a diver who died in the line of duty

Noun

the Vietnam War Memorial is a starkly beautiful testimonial to the bravery of the soldiers who served in Vietnam

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

At Ethel's memorial service in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16 — which was attended by Presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden — the couple arrived together hand in hand, with Hines appearing to support her husband. —Lizzie Hyman, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024

The former president attended his late wife's memorial service in a wheelchair. —Stefan Becket, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2024

Noun

Dwight, who spent his early career as one of America’s first Black astronauts, not only led the repair effort on the memorial, but also played a major role in catching the thieves. —Leigh Walden, The Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2024

The National Wildlife Federation is also partnering with the Friends of Griffith Park to create a memorial at the park honoring the puma. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin memorialis, from memoria memory

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing memorial

• memorial park

Kids Definition

memorial

1 of 2 adjective

me·​mo·​ri·​al mə-ˈmōr-ē-əl 

-ˈmȯr-

: serving to preserve the memory of a person or an event

a memorial service

memorially

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

memorial

2 of 2 noun

: something that keeps alive the memory of a person or event

especially : monument sense 1