memento

American  

[muh-men-toh] / məˈmɛn toʊ /

noun

plural

mementos, mementoes

1. an object or item that serves to remind one of a person, past event, etc.; keepsake; souvenir.

2. anything serving as a reminder or warning.

3. (initial capital letter, italics) either of two prayers in the canon of the Mass, one for persons living and the other for persons dead.

---

memento British  

/ mɪˈmɛntəʊ /

noun

1. something that reminds one of past events; souvenir

2. RC Church either of two prayers occurring during the Mass

---

Spelling

Memento is sometimes spelled momento, perhaps by association with moment. The word is actually related to remember. One of its earliest meanings was “something that serves to warn.” The meaning “souvenir” is a recent development: The stone animal carvings are mementos of our trip to Victoria. Momento is considered by many to be a misspelling, but it occurs so frequently in edited writing that some regard it as a variant spelling rather than an error.

Etymology

Origin of memento

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin mementō, imperative of meminisse to remember

Example Sentences

“In the state of Arkansas, we’re a very split Republican Party,” said Crocker, wearing a black cowboy hat in his office, thick with mementos from his decades in the Green Berets.

From The Wall Street Journal

There were the few pathetic mementos of thirty years in other people’s homes.

From Literature

Except I’m not getting a real award, and the last thing I want is a memento.

From Literature

She is moved by the sight of the mementoes left by other pilgrims at the foot of the cross and adds Tom and Lizzie’s things to the pile.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s as heavy as a weight vest, with a zippered pocket in back for the mementos he just traded for and really wants to keep.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• keepsake
• relic
• remembrance
• reminder
• token
• trophy