commemoration
Americannoun
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the act of commemorating.
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a service, celebration, etc., in memory of some person or event.
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a memorial.
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(in many Christian churches) a special service or prayer for commemorating the lesser feast on days on which two feasts of unequal rank are celebrated.
noun
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the act or an instance of commemorating
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a ceremony or service in memory of a person or event
Other Word Forms
- commemorational adjective
- noncommemoration noun
- noncommemorational adjective
Etymology
Origin of commemoration
1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin commemorātiōn- (stem of commemorātiō ), equivalent to commemorāt ( us ) ( commemorate ) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
A commemoration is a ceremony that honors someone's memory. A commemoration can also honor an event, like a war. A commemoration is a celebration of someone or something, usually in the form of a ceremony. Commemorations are often held on the anniversary of someone's birth or death. For example, there have been many commemorations for Martin Luther King to honor his contributions to the civil rights movement. On the anniversary of 9/11, commemorations are held to honor the dead. This word is all about remembering and respecting.
Vocabulary lists containing commemoration
May Vocabulary Words
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Total Recall: Mem
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An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Perhaps it’s apt that it’s showing at Lincoln Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Day—a time for commemoration and renewed commitment in the face of evil.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026
At a massive commemoration marking the anniversary of the Eaton fire this week, local religious leaders read the names of the 19 people who died in the blaze.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2026
So, what does public commemoration mean when the veterans themselves have all died - and when there are few alive today who remember first-hand the mass shared grief that gave rise to them?
From BBC • Nov. 10, 2025
Its publication coincides with the 50th anniversary of Franco's death on November 20, 1975 and the commemoration of Juan Carlos's proclamation as king two days later.
From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025
“Personhood” is a word I first heard as I listened to the eloquence of Brother Randall Robinson, president of theTransAfrica Forum, during his remarks at the Apollo commemoration.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
