commemorative
Americanadjective
-
serving to commemorate.
a commemorative monument; a commemorative dinner.
-
(of a coin, medal, or postage stamp) issued to commemorate a historical event, to honor the memory of a personage, etc.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of commemorative
First recorded in 1605–15; commemorat(ion) + -ive
Explanation
Anything that acts as a memorial to something or someone is commemorative — whether it's an action like a charity walk or an object like a war memorial. Certain commemorative objects are known simply as commemoratives. Think, for example, of the Elvis Presley commemorative stamps your Dad keeps in his sock drawer (he was young once), or the commemorative coins minted for such events as the inauguration of a new President or the moon landing. See late night TV in particular for "special commemorative offers."
Vocabulary lists containing commemorative
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich
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Hope Springs
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The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora
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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.
When Annie Talley heard about the algae in the Reflecting Pool, she decided to honor it the best way she knew how: by creating a commemorative suncatcher that looks like a little Desmodesmus.
From Slate • Jun. 27, 2026
His family is actively profiting from the spectacle, selling “Freedom 250” commemorative coins.
From Salon • Jun. 15, 2026
During the ceremony he was also presented with a commemorative history of the Carneys, written by local Westport historian Harry Hughes, alongside fellow researchers and editors James Kelly and Micheál Casey.
From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026
There were bunting and street parties, commemorative plates in the shops and historical art projects in the schools.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
She dabbed at her eyes with the commemorative handkerchief, but when she saw the word “hope” it only prompted fresh tears.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
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.
