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monument

noun mon·u·ment \ ˈmän-yə-mənt \
|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of monument

1 obsolete : a burial vault : sepulchre
2 : a written legal document or record : treatise
3 a (1) : a lasting evidence, reminder, or example of someone or something notable or great
(2) : a distinguished person
b : a memorial stone or a building erected in remembrance of a person or event
4 archaic : an identifying mark : evidence; also : portent, sign
5 obsolete : a carved statue : effigy
6 : a boundary or position marker (such as a stone)
7 : national monument
8 : a written tribute

See monument defined for English-language learners

See monument defined for kids

Examples of monument in a Sentence

  1. They have erected a monument in his honor.

  2. the Quakers disapproved of monuments, regarding them as idolatrous, so thousands of Nantucketers spend their eternal rest in complete anonymity

Recent Examples of monument from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monument.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of monument

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin monumentum, literally, memorial, from monēre to remind — more at mind

monument Synonyms

Synonyms

gravestone, headstone, stone, tombstone;

Related Words

cross, marker, plaque, table, tablet;

monolith, obelisk, pillar;

memorial, shrine;

burial, sepulchre (or sepulcher), sepulture, tomb;

MONUMENT Defined for English Language Learners

monument

noun

Definition of monument for English Language Learners

  • : a building, statue, etc., that honors a person or event

  • : a building or place that is important because of when it was built or because of something in history that happened there

  • : an example of something

MONUMENT Defined for Kids

monument

noun mon·u·ment \ ˈmän-yə-mənt \

Definition of monument for Students

1 : a structure (as a building, stone, or statue) made to keep alive the memory of a person or event
2 : something that serves as a good reminder or example
  • “That is a monument to the foolishness of love.”
  • —Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux

Learn More about monument

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for monument Spanish Central: Translation of monument Nglish: Translation of monument for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of monument for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about monument

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