remembrance

noun

re·​mem·​brance ri-ˈmem-brən(t)s 

also -bə-rən(t)s

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

Synonyms of remembrance

• memory
• recollection
• memorial

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

The remembrance ceremony was free with admission to all visitors, according to the museum. —CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

Survivors of the attack have long been the center of the remembrance ceremony held at the military base’s waterfront, though today only 12 troops are still alive. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 7 Dec. 2025

Princess Kate and Prince George wore dark ensembles accented with red poppy pins, the traditional symbol of remembrance in Great Britain. —Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

Following the awards, victim witness advocates from the DA’s office read names aloud of homicide victims in remembrance ceremony. —Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

remembrance

noun

re·​mem·​brance ri-ˈmem-brən(t)s 

1

: the act of remembering

2

: something remembered

3

a

: something (as a souvenir) that serves to keep in or bring to mind : reminder

b

: something (as a greeting or gift) recalling or expressing friendship