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

Those spikes commemorate new geologic time periods across the Earth.

From Seattle Times

The Eleventh Night bonfire tradition commemorates the preparations for the battle, when large fires were lit to welcome William of Orange.

From BBC

Related Words

• celebrate
• memorialize
• observe
• remember
• salute