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

But some warm words for Franco, who picked Juan Carlos as his successor as head of state, caused a stir as Spain commemorated 50 years since the end of his brutal regime.

From Barron's

He added that it was "important that as a society we commemorate and remember those affected - for the impacts are often lifelong".

From BBC

Like many other Japanese lawmakers, she has been a frequent visitor to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, where Japanese war dead, including some war criminals, are commemorated.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gill had visited Ukraine in May 2018 and was with Voloshyn at an event to commemorate the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

From BBC

The auction, which will be held in person in Los Angeles as well as online, commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Jim Henson Company and is expected to raise tens of thousands of dollars.

From Barron's

Related Words

• celebrate
• memorialize
• observe
• remember
• salute