memorabilia
Americanplural noun
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mementos; souvenirs.
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matters or events worthy to be remembered; points worthy of note.
plural noun
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memorable events or things
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objects connected with famous people or events
Etymology
Origin of memorabilia
1800–10; noun use of Latin memorābilia things to be remembered, neuter plural of memorābilis memorable
Explanation
The noun memorabilia describes items that remind you of a certain event or time period. Parents who save every drawing and report card their children bring home are collecting memorabilia for the future. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt? That t-shirt is memorabilia. Memorabilia refers to anything that commemorates an event. It shows you were there — you have the t-shirt to prove it. But t-shirts didn't even exist in 1806, the year memorabilia was coined from the Latin word memorare, meaning "to bring to mind." You save memorabilia to help you remember, or jog your memory.
Vocabulary lists containing memorabilia
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An auction with an array of memorabilia from Marilyn Monroe's estate and friends has already brought in thousands of dollars in bids on the 100th anniversary of her birth.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
Later in the week, on June 4, Julien's Auctions will put nearly 200 pieces of Monroe memorabilia under the hammer as part of its special "100 Years of Marilyn" sale.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
Many of the artists featured in the show appear on the illustrated covers of Punk, which are part of N.Y.-based collector Andrew Krivine’s massive trove of music memorabilia.
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
In its most recent incarnation, eBay caters to enthusiasts with a heavy focus on collectibles, from sports memorabilia to trading cards to antiques, as well as one-of-a-kind fashion items and sneakers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
The renovation had stripped the room of any memorabilia.
From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
