memorial

1 of 2

adjective

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

memorial

2 of 2

noun

1
: something that keeps remembrance alive: such as
a
b
: something (such as a speech or ceremony) that commemorates
2
a
: record, memoir
language and literature … the memorials of another ageJ. 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

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
Adjective
After the memorial service, Courtney Love, Kurt’s widow, presented Chad with the guitar. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Social distancing rules would delay a memorial service, leaving Norris, of Germantown, Md., to shoulder the loss alone. Jenna Portnoy, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The questions mounted after William abruptly canceled his participation in a memorial service, citing a personal matter. Mark Landler, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 The memorial service was so packed people had to stand outside the funeral home. The Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2024 The family had a memorial service for Maylashia with no answers. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2024 As the event - a memorial service for William’s late godfather, former King Constantine II of Greece - was getting underway at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor on Tuesday, royal insiders revealed the Prince of Wales would miss it due to a personal matter. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 William was due to give a reading at the memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece on Feb. 27 but canceled at short notice. Jennifer Hassan, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later time, officials aid. Li Cohen, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024
Noun
Five artists have been shortlisted to design London’s first permanent HIV/AIDS memorial, which is set to be unveiled in 2026. Ella Feldman, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024 The sea walls along the Tidal Basin, site of memorials to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson, have been crumbling for decades. Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 According to Peterson, the Broadway community went weeks without any notice of a memorial or tribute to Battle. Justin Gamble, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 According to the memorial, the performer, who was known for roles in shows like Bonanza, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason and other series, died on Feb. 28 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 That is in addition to at least 400 people detained at impromptu memorials in the two weeks between Mr. Navalny’s death and the funeral. Alina Lobzina, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Details of the memorial are expected to be unveiled at 2 p.m. Monday during a press conference at the museum, where the memorial would likely be located, according to the invitation. Sharon Coolidge, The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024 It is understood that William’s non-attendance was not tied to the news of Kingston’s death, which was revealed publicly on the same day as Constantine’s memorial. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 Their demands go beyond a memorial, said Jorge Verástegui, a member of a group searching for the disappeared. Luis Antonio Rojas, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'memorial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near memorial

Cite this Entry

“Memorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorial. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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 adverb

memorial

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

More from Merriam-Webster on memorial

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