remembrance

[ri-mem-bruhns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR remembrance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a retained mental impression; memory.

the act or fact of remembering.

the power or faculty of remembering.

the length of time over which recollection or memory extends.

the state of being remembered; commemoration: to hold someone's name in remembrance.

something that serves to bring to mind or keep in mind some place, person, event, etc.; memento.

a gift given as a token of love or friendship: I sent her a small remembrance on Mother's Day.

remembrances, greetings; respects.

Origin of remembrance

1300–50; Middle English < Old French; see remember, -ance

Related formsnon·re·mem·brance, noun

Synonyms for remembrance

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR remembrance ON THESAURUS.COM

1. recollection, reminiscence. 3. memory. 6. keepsake, trophy, souvenir, token, memorial.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for remembrance

Contemporary Examples of remembrance

Diane von Furstenberg The iconic designer began her remarks with a remembrance of Oscar de la Renta, who died earlier in the week.
Live from San Antonio: Women in the World Texas!
Women in the World
October 23, 2014
And that remembrance of and desire to cling to things past is what DISH Network is selling here.
Welcome to the 2014 College Football Season: Exploitation, Florida State, and the Accused
Robert Silverman
August 28, 2014
A remembrance of the zany, ad-libbing actor who made us laugh and cry.
Robin Williams, Hollywood’s Grand Jester, Is Dead at 63
Marlow Stern
August 12, 2014
This year, the condolence book from the June 4th Museum will be burned in a ceremony of remembrance.
The Tiananmen Square Museum That’s Shocking China’s Tourists
Brendon Hong
May 30, 2014
Quibbling over dates aside, 19th century Americans did insistently observe a day of remembrance.
The Real Memorial Day: Oliver Wendell Holmes's Salute To A Momentous American Anniversary
Malcolm Jones
May 26, 2014

Historical Examples of remembrance

As for me, the remembrance of my fiancée this evening threw me into a reckless mood.
A Witch of the Hills, v. 2-2
Florence Warden
Not one went without carrying a remembrance of the abbé's strong arm, for he spared no one.
Black Diamonds
Mr Jkai
In vain do I bring to remembrance my successful acts of temerity on many occasions; I can't think of attempting them now.
Dangerous Connections, v. 1, 2, 3, 4
Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
May He be born again and born daily in our hearts, already touched by that remembrance and consecrated by its meaning.
Marm Lisa
Kate Douglas Wiggin
In that final absorption all remembrance of its past experiences is lost.
History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science
John William Draper

British Dictionary definitions for remembrance

remembrance

noun

the act of remembering or state of being remembered

something that is remembered; reminiscence

a memento or keepsake

the extent in time of one's power of recollection

the act of honouring some past event, person, etc
(as modifier)a remembrance service

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for remembrance

c.1300, "a memory, recollection," from Old French remembrance (11c.), from remembrer (see remember). From late 14c. as "consideration, reflection; present consciousness of a past event; store of personal experiences available to recollection, capacity to recall the past." Also late 14c. as "memento, keepsake, souvenir," and "a commemoration, remembering, ritual of commemoration." Meaning "faculty of memory, capability of remembering" is early 15c.

British Remembrance Day, the Sunday nearest Nov. 11 (originally in memory of the dead of World War I) is attested from 1921. A remembrancer (early 15c.) was a royal official of the Exchequer tasked with recording and collecting debts due to the Crown; hence also, figuratively "Death" (late 15c.).