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

In February 2023, far-right groups from across Europe gathered in Budapest to commemorate the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

From BBC

The event was due to be held on Saturday at the Yasukuni Shrine, near the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, which commemorates those who died in several wars including convicted war criminals.

From BBC

But this isn’t the first example of a cultural “nostalgia for nostalgia,” he added, or the first time newer generations have rushed to commemorate the still-recent past.

From The Wall Street Journal

She was applauded for several minutes at the end of her speech, held as part of a special session to commemorate Nazi Germany's murder of six million European Jews during World War II.

From Barron's

It also commemorates the millions of people outside the Jewish faith who were murdered through Nazi persecution, and those targeted in more recent genocides.

From BBC

Related Words

• celebrate
• memorialize
• observe
• remember
• salute