memorial

1 of 2

adjective

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

memorial

2 of 2

noun

1
: something that keeps remembrance alive: such as
a
b
: something (such as a speech or ceremony) that commemorates
2
a
: record, memoir
language and literature … the memorials of another ageJ. 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

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
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Adjective
Like Carter's, state funerals often include military honors, lying in state in the Capitol Rotunda, and a memorial service often at the National Cathedral. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2025 Newsom, who was scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., for the memorial service for former President Jimmy Carter, canceled his trip because of the wildfires, a spokesman has confirmed. Jacob Soboroff, NBC News, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
What to Know The draft memorial, signified as RS 31836, in the Idaho legislature, was presented to the House State Affairs Committee by the committee's vice chair, Republican Representative Heather Scott. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 Remains belonging to Livingston and Jeffrey Jones were added to the memorial's ossuary and white doves were released during the dedication. CBS News, 7 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near memorial

Cite this Entry

“Memorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorial. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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 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

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