commemoration

noun

com·​mem·​o·​ra·​tion kə-ˌme-mə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce commemoration (audio)
1
: the act of commemorating
2
: something that commemorates

Examples of commemoration in a Sentence

Several well-known celebrities attended the commemoration.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Nigerian Independence Day is celebrated annually on October 1st as a commemoration of Nigeria’s independence from British rule in 1960. Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 8 Oct. 2025 In 2019, Maine, Vermont, New Mexico and District of Columbia all replaced Columbus Day commemoration with Indigenous Peoples' Day. Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Standing among the graves during a commemoration event this week, Sagui Dekel-Chen described the struggle to understand living when many of his neighbors were killed. Emily Feng, NPR, 7 Oct. 2025 Jordi Alba and Tadeo Allende bagged braces in the rout, which was punctuated with a postgame commemoration of Busquets for his decision to retire at season’s end. Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for commemoration

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Commemoration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commemoration. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

commemoration

noun
com·​mem·​o·​ra·​tion kə-ˌmem-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce commemoration (audio)
1
: the act of commemorating
2
: a ceremony that commemorates

More from Merriam-Webster on commemoration

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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