commemorate

[kuh-mem-uh-reyt]

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.

commemorate

/ kəˈmɛməˌreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to honour or keep alive the memory of

Other Word Forms

• commemorable adjective
• commemorator noun
• uncommemorated adjective
• commemoratively adverb
• commemorative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of commemorate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of commemorate¹

C16: from Latin commemorāre be mindful of, from com- (intensive) + memorāre to remind, from memor mindful

Example Sentences

You would think that the commissioner would commemorate the moment in some way.

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Another site near borough hall now commemorates the first worldwide broadcasts by a local radio station in the 1920s and “the earliest transmissions of electronic television images.”

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Separately, a wall of plaques on Shark Island in Namibia commemorates German soldiers.

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On Tuesday night, thousands joined their call to gather at sites across the country to commemorate Oct.

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More than 1,000 people attended a rally in Manchester city centre on Sunday which commemorated those killed and injured in the attack.

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Related Words

• celebrate 
• memorialize 
• observe 
• remember 
• salute