commemorate
verb
Did you know?
When you remember something, you are mindful of it. And you are especially mindful when you commemorate something, formalizing your remembrance by doing something special, such as attending a parade or taking part in a ceremony. It’s appropriate, therefore, that commemorate and other related memory-associated words (including memorable, memorial, remember, and memory itself) come from the Latin root memor, meaning “mindful.” English speakers have been marking the memory of important events with commemorate since the late 16th century.
Examples of commemorate in a Sentence
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
From Ashley Tisdale commemorating the 20th anniversary of High School Musical in Sharpay style to Bette Midler getting back into her Hocus Pocus finest, see stars who have braved their old onscreen outfits for the fans.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 20 Jan. 2026
The event, presented in collaboration with Matthew Morris Salon to commemorate their 20th Anniversary, will celebrate Rogers’ career.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026
Many of the park structures were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s and 1940s; a statue inside the park commemorates their service.
—Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 19 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commemorate
Cite this Entry
“Commemorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commemorate. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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commemorate
verb
