commemorate

American  

[kuh-mem-uh-reyt] / kəˈmɛm əˌreɪt /

verb (used with object)

commemorated, commemorating

1. to serve as a memorial or reminder of.

   The monument commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

2. to honor the memory of by some observance.

   to commemorate the dead by a moment of silence; to commemorate Bastille Day.

3. to make honorable mention of.

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commemorate British  

/ kəˈmɛməˌreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to honour or keep alive the memory of

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Other Word Forms

• commemorable adjective
• commemorative adjective
• commemoratively adverb
• commemorator noun
• uncommemorated adjective

Etymology

Origin of commemorate

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin commemorātus “recalled,” past participle of commemorāre “to recall, put on record,” from com- com- + memor “mindful” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Example Sentences

“It’s a way to commemorate ... the movies we love, and showcase them, obviously for ourselves, but also for people that come over or people that view our videos,” Nicole Fontanez said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

“You’re already on the bridge, you’re already part of the art—why would you tie trash to commemorate it?”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Pratt, a Republican, first revealed his mayoral ambitions during an event called “They Let Us Burn!” that was held in L.A. in early January to commemorate the first anniversary of the wildfires.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

The River Avon flows through a green space which was opened in the early 1960s to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026

Or the guy who says it's a crime to waste forests of paper to commemorate something that "never happened."

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• celebrate
• memorialize
• observe
• remember
• salute