memorial

1 of 2

adjective

me·​mo·​ri·​al mə-ˈmȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce memorial (audio)
Synonyms of memorialnext
1
: serving to preserve remembrance : commemorative
2
: of or relating to memory
memorially
mə-ˈmȯr-ē-ə-lē How to pronounce memorial (audio)
adverb

memorial

2 of 2

noun

1
: something that keeps remembrance alive: such as
a
: monument
b
: something (such as a speech or ceremony) that commemorates
c
: keepsake, memento
2
a
: record, memoir
language and literature … the memorials of another age—J. H. Fisher
b
: memorandum, note
specifically : a legal abstract
c
: a statement of facts addressed to a government and often accompanied by a petition or remonstrance

Synonyms

Adjective

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of memorial in a Sentence

Adjective a memorial plaque on the bridge for a diver who died in the line of duty Noun the Vietnam War Memorial is a starkly beautiful testimonial to the bravery of the soldiers who served in Vietnam
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Flags across Colorado flew at half-staff Wednesday for Dunn’s memorial service, which was not open to the public. —Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 14 Nov. 2024 Prince William and Prince Harry last crossed paths in August at the memorial service in Norfolk for their late uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes. —Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
The music icon was laid to rest in a private ceremony earlier this week and a larger memorial is being planned, according to the Associated Press. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024 Workers removing flowers from a makeshift memorial outside the Zhuhai Sports Centre on Wednesday. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for memorial 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin memorialis, from memoria memory

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of memorial was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing memorial

Dictionary Entries Near memorial

memorative

memorial

memorial arch

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Memorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorial. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

memorial

1 of 2 adjective
me·​mo·​ri·​al mə-ˈmōr-ē-əl How to pronounce memorial (audio)
-ˈmȯr-
: serving to preserve the memory of a person or an event
a memorial service
memorially
-ē-ə-lē How to pronounce memorial (audio)
adverb

memorial

2 of 2 noun
: something that keeps alive the memory of a person or event
especially : monument sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on memorial

Nglish: Translation of memorial for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of memorial for Arabic Speakers

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