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

One year after two of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history erupted just hours apart, survivors commemorated the day in Altadena and Pacific Palisades with a mixture of anger and somber remembrance.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s practically a family tree in metal, commemorating the one-man fundraising efforts of his father, the business developer Steve Soboroff, to repair the local play area.

From Los Angeles Times

The sold-out gathering at the Strand was one of six tea parties being thrown throughout the country by the publisher to commemorate Austen’s semiquincentennial.

From Los Angeles Times

But the judge ruled that they had been "innocent victims of a state crime" and ordered that their families be issued with an official apology and that the four victims be commemorated with a plaque.

From BBC

Through the week, Bondi's surf volunteers have been commemorated as some of the heroes of the shooting.

From BBC

Related Words

• celebrate
• memorialize
• observe
• remember
• salute