remembrance

noun re·mem·brance \ ri-ˈmem-brən(t)s also -bə-rən(t)s \

Definition of remembrance

1 :the state of bearing in mind

2 a :the ability to remember :memory

b :the period over which one's memory extends

3 :an act of recalling to mind

4 :a memory of a person, thing, or event

5 a :something that serves to keep in or bring to mind :reminder

b :commemoration, memorial

c :a greeting or gift recalling or expressing friendship or affection

See remembrance defined for English-language learners

See remembrance defined for kids

Examples of remembrance in a Sentence

a happy couple with many fond remembrances of when they were dating in college
she gave her boyfriend on the eve of his military service one of her lockets as a remembrance of their abiding affection

Recent Examples of remembrance from the Web

A great deal of Confederate iconography was not commissioned in remembrance of soldierly valor or mawkish depiction of genteel Dixie.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "On Charlottesville, Trump, and Anti-Americanism," 19 Aug. 2017
No public remembrances have been announced this year.

— dave collins, The Seattle Times, "10 years later, shocking home invasion haunts a quiet suburb," 16 July 2017
A remembrance of her life and accomplishments will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on July 8 at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 2717 E. Hampshire St., Milwaukee.

— erin richards, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Obituary: Lucinda Gordon led a school for teen moms in Milwaukee and fought for civil rights," 1 July 2017
In remembrance, Baris Safoglu returned to the train bridge Thursday morning and collected rocks from the riverbed that were still covered in his sister’s blood.

— ellie silverman, Washington Post, "‘It was nobody’s fault,’ mother says of teen daughter fatally struck by train," 29 June 2017
Earlier this year, Hicks also posted a remembrance of her Aunt on Instagram.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "The Queen's Cousin Is Laid to Rest," 28 June 2017
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- People wrapped their arms around each other in remembrance of fallen police officers during a memorial service at The Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial just before the 9th Annual Cops Ride on Sunday.

— lisa dejong, cleveland.com, "9th Annual Cops Ride honors fallen officers (photos)," 25 June 2017
This Tuesday night’s episode (10 p.m. ET/PT) of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel will close with a remembrance of Frank Deford, who spent 22 years with Real Sports, reporting on 117 stories.

— richard deitsch, SI.com, "Media Circus: What is the rights future of the UFC?," 19 June 2017
In the evening, rain didn't deter thousands of people from showing up at a remembrance in downtown Orlando in front of an amphitheater that was painted in gay-pride rainbow colors after the massacre.

— Bloomberg.com, "Half-Staff Flags, Bells Mark 1 Year Since Orlando Massacre," 12 June 2017

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

First Known Use of remembrance

14th century

remembrance Synonyms

Synonyms

anamnesis, recall, recollection, memory, reminiscence

Related Words

flashback; memento, memorial, reminder, souvenir, token; association

Near Antonyms

amnesia, repression; forgetfulness

Synonym Discussion of remembrance

memory, remembrance, recollection, reminiscence mean the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered. memory applies both to the power of remembering and to what is remembered.

- gifted with a remarkable memory
- that incident was now just a distant memory

remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

- any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort.

- after a moment's recollection he produced the name

reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past.

- my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

REMEMBRANCE Defined for English Language Learners

remembrance

noun

Definition of remembrance for English Language Learners

: the act of remembering a person, thing, or event
: something that is done or made to honor the memory of a person, thing, or event
: a memory of a person, thing, or event