remember

verb

re·​mem·​ber ri-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce remember (audio)
remembered; remembering ri-ˈmem-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce remember (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to bring to mind or think of again
remembers the old days
2
archaic
b
: remind
3
a
: to keep in mind for attention or consideration
remembers friends at Christmas
b
: reward
was remembered in the will
4
: to retain in the memory
remember the facts until the test is over
5
: to convey greetings from
remember me to her
6

intransitive verb

1
: to exercise or have the power of memory
2
: to have a recollection or remembrance
rememberability noun
rememberable adjective
rememberer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for remember

remember, recollect, recall, remind, reminisce mean to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind.

remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

Examples of remember in a Sentence

I remember my first day of school like it was yesterday. Do you remember me? I used to work with you many years ago. Remember when we went hiking last summer? I remember telling him not to do it, but he did it anyway. I remember what that felt like. As far as I can remember, I've never been late to a meeting. I couldn't remember how to spell her name. I can't remember where I put that book. I remembered that I had left my wallet at home. What was it that I was going to ask him? I can't remember.
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.
Kai Ryssdal: So remember, this was ’85, ’86, the Evil Empire, right? Outside Online, 13 Nov. 2024 Charles led Remembrance Day commemorations in London on Sunday as the United Kingdom remembered British and Commonwealth service members who have lost their lives in conflicts. Hannah Peart, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024 One last thing to remember on this election day: There are several rights voters have, as laid out by the secretary of state’s office. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 5 Nov. 2024 But whether Trump or Harris wins will affect how voters remember 2020 years from now. W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for remember 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English remembren, from Anglo-French remembrer, from Late Latin rememorari, from Latin re- + Late Latin memorari to be mindful of, from Latin memor mindful — more at memory

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near remember

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

remember

verb
re·​mem·​ber ri-ˈmem-bər How to pronounce remember (audio)
remembered; remembering -b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce remember (audio)
1
: to bring to mind or think of again
remembers the old days
2
a
: to keep in mind for attention
remember friends at Christmas
b
: reward entry 1 sense 1
was remembered in the will
3
: to keep in the memory
remember the facts for the test
4
: to pass along greetings from
remember us to your family
rememberable adjective
rememberer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on remember

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!