memorial

American  

[muh-mawr-ee-uhl, -mohr-] / məˈmɔr i əl, -ˈmoʊr- /

noun

memorials plural

1. something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday.

2. a written statement of facts presented to a sovereign, a legislative body, etc., as the ground of, or expressed in the form of, a petition or remonstrance.

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adjective

1. preserving the memory of a person or thing; commemorative.

   memorial services.

2. of or relating to the memory.

memorial British  

/ mɪˈmɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. serving to preserve the memory of the dead or a past event

2. of or involving memory

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noun

1. something serving as a remembrance

2. a written statement of facts submitted to a government, authority, etc, in conjunction with a petition

3. an informal diplomatic paper

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• memorially
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• memorials
  plural

Etymology

Origin of memorial

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin memoriāle, noun use of neuter of Latin memoriālis for or containing memoranda. See memory, -al ¹

Explanation

Just as the Lincoln Memorial pays tribute to Abraham Lincoln, a memorial is anything that symbolizes or celebrates someone who died. Every gravestone in a cemetery is actually a small memorial. A memorial is a service or statue dedicated to someone who died. A memorial service celebrates the life of the deceased. Something written about the dead person can also be called a memorial, and you could say donating to a dead friend's favorite cause is a memorial to them. If it honors the dead, the word memorial probably fits.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

memorial memorials

Returning this time on the 60th anniversary of the tragedy, it was marked with a special memorial and the plaque to remember those who died, unveiled by Dolgellau Town Council.

From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026

Before attending a memorial service for the victims in central Berlin's Marienkirche, Chancellor Friedrich Merz appealed to those targeted by the attack to "not let yourselves be intimidated".

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

“HE DID?” one New York politico exclaimed when I asked him about Trump’s attending the memorial.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026

Cellphone photos show the memorial service held at sea July 7 for fishermen from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Eager volunteers sprang into gear, getting the word out about the memorial and raising money.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

Locals have already set up makeshift memorials at the scene.

From Salon ● Jul. 26, 2026

Odd Arne Westad begins “The Coming Storm: Power, Conflict, and Warnings From History” with a poignant and haunting visit to World War I memorials and cemeteries in France.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Even as a US citizen, she still feels the effects, especially when driving by the memorials set up to remember Pretti and Good.

From BBC ● Jun. 25, 2026

The argument over their status and memorials to UPA figures has long cast a shadow over diplomatic relations between the allies and neighbours.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

Each is remembered with monuments, memorials, and cities named in his honor.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Related Words

• ceremony
• headstone
• mausoleum
• plaque
• remembrance
• statue
• tombstone