memorial

1 of 2

adjective

me·​mo·​ri·​al mə-ˈmȯr-ē-əl How to pronounce memorial (audio)
Synonyms of memorialnext
1
: serving to preserve remembrance : commemorative
a memorial plaque
2
: of or relating to memory
memorially
mə-ˈmȯr-ē-ə-lē How to pronounce memorial (audio)
adverb

memorial

2 of 2

noun

1
: something that keeps remembrance alive: such as
a
: monument
a war memorial
b
: something (such as a speech or ceremony) that commemorates
c
: keepsake, memento
2
a
: record, memoir
… language and literature … the memorials of another age.—J. H. Fisher
b
: memorandum, note
specifically : a legal abstract
c
: a statement of facts addressed to a government and often accompanied by a petition or remonstrance

Synonyms of memorial

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Adjective

Noun

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Examples of memorial in a Sentence

Adjective a memorial plaque on the bridge for a diver who died in the line of duty Noun the Vietnam War Memorial is a starkly beautiful testimonial to the bravery of the soldiers who served in Vietnam
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Just a few weeks before our visit, the school held a memorial service for Duma Mgqoki, a promising young magician, former student and volunteer teacher who was killed in a shooting in July. — Julie Bourdin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents rank and file officers and is backing Bass, has been a long-standing host of a memorial golf tournament named after Gates, who died in 2010. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
The Administration’s tactics have reminded her of recent malicious acts in France tied to Russian operatives, such as the defacing of a Holocaust memorial with bloody handprints and the planting of a pig’s head outside a mosque. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 Xinhua said Wang accompanied Kim to a Korean War memorial in Dandong, where the North Korean leader paid tribute to Chinese People’s Volunteer Army soldiers who fought alongside North Korea during the three-year conflict. — CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for memorial

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin memorialis, from memoria memory

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of memorial was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing memorial

Rhymes for memorial

See All Rhymes for memorial

Browse Nearby Words

memorative
memorial
memorial arch
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Memorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorial. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

memorial

1 of 2 adjective
me·​mo·​ri·​al mə-ˈmōr-ē-əl How to pronounce memorial (audio)
-ˈmȯr-
: serving to preserve the memory of a person or an event
a memorial service
memorially
-ē-ə-lē How to pronounce memorial (audio)
adverb

memorial

2 of 2 noun
: something that keeps alive the memory of a person or event
especially : monument sense 1
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