commemorative

adjective

com·​mem·​o·​ra·​tive kə-ˈmem-rə-tiv 

-ˈme-mə-;

-ˈme-mə-ˌrā-tiv

: intended as a commemoration

especially : issued in limited quantities for a limited time to honor or feature someone or something

a commemorative stamp

commemorative noun

commemoratively adverb

Synonyms

• commemorating
• memorial

Examples of commemorative in a Sentence

commemorative stamps for the stars of American popular music

Recent Examples on the Web

The photograph also featured other leaders, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, and Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, among more than two dozen officials attending the commemorative event. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

So devastated were the locals that the tree’s remains lie in the Niger National Museum, and a commemorative metal sculpture stands in its place. —Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025

So, invites to Taiwanese officials to the commemorative events were sent out. —Meredith Oyen, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025

Fan giveaways included a commemorative button, cases of Schlitz and a new Ford Pinto. —Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

commemorative

adjective

com·​mem·​o·​ra·​tive kə-ˈmem-ə-rət-iv 

-ˌrāt-

: intended to commemorate a person, thing, or event

a commemorative postage stamp

commemorative noun