in memoriam

[in muh-mawr-ee-uhm, -mohr-]

adverb

1. in memory (of ); to the memory (of ); as a memorial (to): used on gravestones, in obituaries, etc. in mem.

in memoriam

/ ɪn mɪˈmɔːrɪəm /

1. in memory of; as a memorial to: used in obituaries, epitaphs, etc

in memoriam

1. A Latin phrase meaning “in memory of.” This phrase often precedes a name in obituaries and on tombstones.

Word History and Origins

Origin of in memoriam¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1840–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of in memoriam¹

Latin

Example Sentences

The Oscars ceremony also featured an in memoriam segment, where clips from some of the character actor's best films over his 60-year career were shown.

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So nothing that tonight’s movie winners said from the stage will have any impact on the 97th Oscars, nor will the playing of Diane Warren’s nominated power ballad “The Journey” during the in memoriam segment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Time is, of course, most vividly on display in the in memoriam segment.

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Those words from the mouth of Navalny, the Russian opposition leader, began the in memoriam segment, a devastating reminder of his death last month in a Russian prison.

Read more on Seattle Times

The in memoriam sequence was, as is most often the case, marred by the extraneous performance — string players, interpretive dancers, the white-jacketed Oscars orchestra — that got in its way.

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When To Use

What does in memoriam mean?

In memoriam is a Latin phrase meaning “in memory of” or “as a memorial to.” It’s typically used in memorials to those who have died.In memoriam is a common epitaph—the inscription on a gravestone or other monument. It’s also commonly used as a heading in obituaries.Example: Those who have passed away in the past year are listed in a special section titled “In memoriam.”