reminiscence

American  

[rem-uh-nis-uhns] / ˌrɛm əˈnɪs əns /

noun

• reminiscences
  plural

1. the act or process of recalling past experiences, events, etc.

   Synonyms:

   recollection

2. a mental impression retained and revived.

   Synonyms:

   memory

3. Often reminiscences. a recollection narrated or told.

   reminiscences of an American soldier.

   Synonyms:

   memoir, tale, anecdote

4. something that recalls or suggests something else.

   Synonyms:

   reminder

5. (in Platonic philosophy) anamnesis.

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reminiscence British  

/ ˌrɛmɪˈnɪsəns /

noun

1. the act of recalling or narrating past experiences

2. (often plural) some past experience, event, etc, that is recalled or narrated; anecdote

3. an event, phenomenon, or experience that reminds one of something else

4. (in the philosophy of Plato) the doctrine that perception and recognition of particulars is possible because the mind has seen the universal forms of all things in a previous disembodied existence

5. psychol the ability to perform a task better when tested some time after the task has been learnt than when tested immediately after learning it

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• reminiscences
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of reminiscence

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French, from Late Latin reminiscentia, from reminiscent-, stem of reminiscēns “remembering” ( see reminiscent) + -ia -y ³ ( def. )

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Explanation

A reminiscence is a memory, or the act of recovering it. A visit to your old elementary school may flood your brain with reminiscences––things you hadn't thought of in years coming suddenly back. Many people find that when they travel or have quiet time to think, their brain becomes occupied with reminiscence. You can see how close the word reminiscence is in meaning to the word remember––you might think of the word reminiscence as a remembering.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reminiscence reminiscences

"At Walpole we spend our lives preserving the past for the education and enjoyment for the next generations and reminiscence for those of us who lived it," she added.

From BBC ● Jan. 29, 2026

“The combined drop in the dollar, equities and Treasuries was a reminiscence of the ‘sell America’ days of last spring,” said Pesole at ING.

From Barron's ● Jan. 12, 2026

The mood you were in at the time of reminiscence left emotional fingerprints on the memory, as neurons activated by your mental environment synced up with those activated by the recollection.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 27, 2025

The reminiscence we now know as a holiday classic began as two projects, a 1945 BBC broadcast and a 1947 magazine article.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 19, 2025

With him, during some previous period of boyhood reminiscence, of confidences exchanged.

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood

Where on other tracks Mr. McCartney’s voice is bolstered with doublings and harmonies, his unadorned singing here projects a vulnerability that suits the reminiscences of an 83-year-old singer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026

The concert will feature readings, reminiscences and music from performers such as Samantha Barks and Toploader, plus a nostalgic revival of the BBC wartime comedy Dad's Army.

From BBC ● Apr. 24, 2025

Last month, a handsome new coffee-table book, “The Beach Boys by the Beach Boys,” was published with photos and detailed reminiscences from the members.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 2024

But it was a bit nerve-racking initially, given that “halting reminiscences about the 1940s” are exactly the kind of thing Joe probably does not want voters associating with him at the moment.

From Slate ● Mar. 8, 2024

The history and character of Mr. Bilbo Baggins became once again the chief topic of conversation; and the older folk suddenly found their reminiscences in welcome demand.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Related Words

• anecdote
• recollection
• remembrance

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