remembrance

American  

[ri-mem-bruhns] / rɪˈmɛm brəns /

noun

1. a retained mental impression; memory.

   Synonyms:

   reminiscence, recollection

2. the act or fact of remembering.

3. the power or faculty of remembering.

   Synonyms:

   memory

4. the length of time over which recollection or memory extends.

5. the state of being remembered; commemoration.

   to hold someone's name in remembrance.

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

   Synonyms:

   memorial, token, souvenir, trophy, keepsake

7. a gift given as a token of love or friendship.

   I sent her a small remembrance on Mother's Day.

8. remembrances, greetings; respects.

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remembrance British  

/ rɪˈmɛmbrəns /

noun

1. the act of remembering or state of being remembered

2. something that is remembered; reminiscence

3. a memento or keepsake

4. the extent in time of one's power of recollection

5. 1. the act of honouring some past event, person, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a remembrance service

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Other Word Forms

• nonremembrance
  noun

Etymology

Origin of remembrance

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

Explanation

Remembrance is when someone remembers things — your grandfather might have uncanny remembrance of his childhood, for example. The noun remembrance is really just another way to say "memory." It's the process of remembering things that happened in the past. In Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," the character of Ophelia famously says, "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance." The smell of the herb has actually been shown to improve memory, and has historically been a symbol of remembrance. Early uses of remembrance had the meaning "keepsake or souvenir."

Example Sentences

Erasing the memory of a loved one might seem like a mercy on our darkest days, but remembrance is what keeps their light with us.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

"We stood with you then. And we stand with you now in solemn remembrance of a day that shall never be forgotten," he added in a speech that called for unity among Western powers.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Pam began wondering whether the same technology could be used for remembrance.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

The Withered World Tour included themes of death and remembrance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

It was a barbed arrow-head in my breast; it tore me when I tried to extract it; it sickened me when remembrance thrust it farther in.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

• commemoration
• memento
• memorial
• reminder