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

“We thank you for your beautiful music, your voice, your proficiency on the piano, your artistry,” the memorial reads.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As I wrote recently, for all the hype around Kirk’s memorial, the actual event didn’t resonate beyond his existing fanbase.

Read more on Salon

Her final request was to be brought back to Scotland, but Brian also has a memorial for both his mother and sister at his home in Manchester.

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Towards the end they had a falling out, and she doesn’t want to be involved in his memorial service.

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Just consider all the mourners who showed up at Kirk’s memorial service in genuine grief.

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Related Words

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