in memoriam

American  

[in muh-mawr-ee-uhm, -mohr-] / ɪn məˈmɔr i əm, -ˈmoʊr- /

adverb

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

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in memoriam British  

/ ɪn mɪˈmɔːrɪəm /

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

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in memoriam Cultural  

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

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Usage

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.”

Etymology

Origin of in memoriam

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in memoriam

Noah Kahan then performed Bridge Over Troubled Water during the in memoriam segment, before Jamie Lee Curtis paid an emotional tribute to actor and director Rob Reiner.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

The annual in memoriam segment for recently passed icons will honor Robert Redford, who died in September, and Rob Reiner, who was murdered in December.

From Barron's ● Mar. 15, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2024

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.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 11, 2024

It was built in memoriam to those who have lost their lives in auto accidents, and as a place of healing.

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven