memento

[muh-men-toh]

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

/ mɪˈmɛntəʊ /

noun

1. something that reminds one of past events; souvenir

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

Spelling Note

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of memento¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of memento¹

C15: from Latin, imperative of meminisse to remember

Example Sentences

MV Hebridean Isles won a special place in the hearts of islanders during its many years of service, and numerous mementoes have been retained.

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Prosecutors over time have found a range of motives behind the unlawful retention of sensitive documents, from hoarding mementos of government service to plans of selling secrets to foreign adversaries.

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Making most of the opportunity, he managed to get a selfie with Perry as a memento.

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The podcast studio for “The Shawn Ryan Show” features mementos, including an American flag that flew over Ground Zero and a flame thrower with a sticker that says “Hillary Clinton Killed My Friend.”

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He has used his fame to drum up donations for the Russian war effort, often for drones, while Russian soldiers have been known to send him mementos from the front lines, including Ukrainian combat jackets.

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Related Words

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