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

Ghana has positioned itself as a gateway for diaspora return since launching the "Year of Return" initiative in 2019, which commemorated 400 years since enslaved Africans were first taken to North America.

From Barron's

The tribute was built by fans of the series to commemorate queer character Ianto Jones 17 years ago, near where the series was filmed in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff.

From BBC

Pratt, a Republican, first revealed his mayoral ambitions during an event called “They Let Us Burn!” that was held in L.A. in early January to commemorate the first anniversary of the wildfires.

From MarketWatch

After donning hats and shirts that commemorated their championship, the Bruins celebrated on the floor with cheers and pictures.

From Los Angeles Times

It also happened one day after Cuban-American groups in Miami commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Brothers to the Rescue shootdown, which killed four people.

From BBC

Related Words

• celebrate
• memorialize
• observe
• remember
• salute