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 of commemorative

• commemorating
• memorial

Examples of commemorative in a Sentence

commemorative stamps for the stars of American popular music

Recent Examples on the Web

The Lady Rebel has a slightly shorter shaft, measuring 10 inches, but also includes American flag accents and commemorative 1776 details. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 8 May 2026

The Pennsylvania Lottery celebrated Dudley on Friday ahead of Mother's Day, presenting her with a commemorative $1 million check. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 8 May 2026

California, where his farm workers organizing movement began, made his birthday a legal holiday in 2000, and President Barack Obama later established it as a federal commemorative holiday. —Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

Section 106 was written precisely to require federal agencies to consider what their undertakings would do to historic properties and commemorative landscapes. —Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 6 May 2026

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