English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

commemorate

kuh-MEH-muh-rayt

Commemorate (verb) means to honor the memory of a person or event, typically with a ceremony, object, or tradition. Example: “The town holds a parade every year to commemorate its founding.”

verb
1
To honor the memory of a person or event, typically with a ceremony, object, or tradition.
"The town holds a parade every year to commemorate its founding."
"A plaque was unveiled to commemorate the workers who built the bridge."

How to use commemorate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo mark or honor the memory of something important, often through a ceremony or memorial.

Common pairings
commemorate an anniversary commemorate the fallen held to commemorate

Word forms

more commemorate comparative, commemorated past tense, commemorates singular, most commemorate superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “commemorate” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The town holds a parade every year to _____ its founding.

Etymology

From Latin commemorare, from com- + memorare ("to bring to mind"), related to "memory."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for commemorate

See all rhymes for commemorate →

Frequently asked questions

What does “commemorate” mean?

The word “commemorate” means to honor the memory of a person or event, typically with a ceremony, object, or tradition. In plain terms, to mark or honor the memory of something important, often through a ceremony or memorial.

How do you pronounce “commemorate”?

“Commemorate” is pronounced kuh-MEH-muh-rayt (/kəˈmɛməˌɹeɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “commemorate” in a sentence?

Here is “commemorate” used in a sentence: “The town holds a parade every year to commemorate its founding.”

What part of speech is “commemorate”?

“Commemorate” is a verb.

Where does the word “commemorate” come from?

The word “commemorate” comes from Latin. From Latin commemorare, from com- + memorare ("to bring to mind"), related to "memory.".

Is “commemorate” a common word?

“Commemorate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial