memorial

[muh-mawr-ee-uhl, -mohr-]

noun

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.

adjective

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

   memorial services.

2. of or relating to the memory.

memorial

/ mɪˈmɔːrɪəl /

adjective

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

2. of or involving memory

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

• memorially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of memorial¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of memorial¹

C14: from Late Latin memoriāle a reminder, neuter of memoriālis belonging to remembrance

Example Sentences

A memorial garden officially opens at Thornhill cemetery in Cardiff on Monday to honour donors and educate others on the law.

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In October the prince unveiled a global memorial for humanitarian aid workers where he delivered a speech on humanitarian values.

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The government has also set up memorial points across the city, where the public can pay their respects and sign condolence books.

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A memorial for Beckstrom will be held at the Webster County High School gym, because the municipal building isn’t big enough to accommodate the expected crowd, Markle said.

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The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Webster Springs, W.VA., was planning vigils for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the memorial wall in the town, according to the Webster County Veterans Auxiliary.

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Related Words

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