keepsake

American  

[keep-seyk] / ˈkipˌseɪk /

noun

1. anything kept, or given to be kept, as a token of friendship or affection; remembrance.

   Synonyms:

   token, memento, souvenir

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keepsake British  

/ ˈkiːpˌseɪk /

noun

1. a gift that evokes memories of a person or event with which it is associated

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Etymology

Origin of keepsake

1780–90; keep (v.) + sake ¹

Example Sentences

When the next mission to the International Space Station blasts off from Florida next week, a special keepsake will be hitching a ride: a small stuffed rabbit.

From Barron's

Beyond the keepsakes, the Olympic organizers have gotten an essential right in the Village.

From Los Angeles Times

And he pulled a slip of paper from his breast pocket and tucked it into my hand, saying something about how he wanted me to hold on to it as a keepsake.

From Literature

Families who had lived in Altadena for generations lost the keepsakes and records of their entire history; some lost neighbors or family who didn’t make it out.

From Los Angeles Times

During the studio tour, the artist pulled out a piece of brass wire bent to spell out her name, a keepsake from when she was 12.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• memento
• relic
• souvenir
• trophy