commemoration

American  

[kuh-mem-uh-rey-shuhn] / kəˌmɛm əˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

• commemorations
  plural

1. the act of commemorating.

2. a service, celebration, etc., in memory of some person or event.

3. a memorial.

4. (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.

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commemoration British  

/ kəˌmɛməˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of commemorating

2. a ceremony or service in memory of a person or event

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncommemoration
  noun
• commemorational
  adjective
• noncommemorational
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• commemorations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of commemoration

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin commemorātiōn- (stem of commemorātiō ), equivalent to commemorāt ( us ) ( see 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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

commemoration commemorations

The Austrian government insisted that the permanent police presence would "clearly show" that no commemoration of Nazism would be acceptable and would "neutralise" the site.

From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026

The official U.S. semiquincentennial effort, coordinated through the bipartisan America250 Commission, was designed as a national commemoration intended to emphasize shared history and civic unity.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

His first concert at Lincoln Center as music director of the New York Philharmonic in September will open with Adams’ “On the Transmigration of Souls,” in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026

He was jailed again in 2014 for participating in another Tiananmen commemoration event, according to Amnesty International.

From BBC ● May 27, 2026

Beneath the picture was the caption: “Scarlet Fletcher, captain of the East Shoal cheerleading squad, helps introduce ‘Scarlet’s Scoreboard,’ a commemoration of the charity and goodwill her father, Randall Fletcher, has shown toward the school.”

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

His son, Mojtaba, the new supreme leader, was absent from the commemorations, fearing assassination himself.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2026

BBC International correspondent Nawal Al Maghafi reports from Tehran, where authorities say they expect millions to take part in funeral commemorations for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

I’ve been there during the annual commemorations, and it’s a very moving experience.

From Salon ● Jun. 9, 2026

Authorities throttled mobile internet ahead of the commemorations in an attempt to prevent Ukrainian drone strikes, while security around the capital was tightened considerably.

From Barron's ● May 9, 2026

Now after thirty-four years, the commemorations and interviews and presentations of posthumous honors have almost stopped, so that for months at a time Dedd is able to take up her own life again.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• celebration
• ceremony
• remembrance
• tribute