memorial
muh-MAW-ree-uhl
Memorial (noun) means a monument, structure, or event created to honour and remember a person or a past event. Example: “The city built a memorial for soldiers who died in the war.”
noun
1
A monument, structure, or event created to honour and remember a person or a past event.
"The city built a memorial for soldiers who died in the war."
"Visitors left flowers at the memorial in the town square."
"The family held a memorial service for their grandfather last summer."
adj
1
Serving to commemorate or remember someone or something.
"They held a memorial service for their late father."
"A memorial plaque was fixed to the wall of the old school."
"Friends planted a memorial tree in the park to remember their teacher."
How to use memorial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething — a statue, a service, an event — created specifically to help people remember someone or something important.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
war memorial
memorial service
build a memorial
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Word forms
- Plural
- memorials
- Comparative
- more memorial
- Superlative
- most memorial
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The city built a _____ for soldiers who died in the war.
Etymology
From Late Latin memoriale, built on the same root as memory.
Related words
Rhymes for memorial
See all rhymes for memorial →Frequently asked questions
What does “memorial” mean?
The word “memorial” means a monument, structure, or event created to honour and remember a person or a past event. In plain terms, something — a statue, a service, an event — created specifically to help people remember someone or something important.
How do you pronounce “memorial”?
“Memorial” is pronounced muh-MAW-ree-uhl (/məˈmɔːɹi.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “memorial” in a sentence?
Here is “memorial” used in a sentence: “The city built a memorial for soldiers who died in the war.”
What part of speech is “memorial”?
Depending on how it is used, “memorial” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “memorial” come from?
The word “memorial” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin memoriale, built on the same root as memory.
Is “memorial” a common word?
“Memorial” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “memorial” have?
“Memorial” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a monument, structure, or event created to honour and remember a person or a past event.
What is the difference between a memorial and a monument?
A memorial exists specifically to honour and remember a person or past event, so remembrance is its whole purpose. A monument is any large structure built to mark or commemorate something, and may celebrate an achievement or figure without the note of mourning. Every memorial is commemorative, but not every monument is a memorial.
What are the types of memorial?
Memorials take many forms. Physical ones include monuments, statues, plaques, gardens, benches, and war memorials. There are also living memorials, such as scholarships or planted trees, and event-based memorials like memorial services, moments of silence, and annual remembrance days. Digital memorials, such as online tribute pages, have become increasingly common too.
What is an example of a memorial?
Well-known examples include the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and the many war memorials found in towns worldwide. On a smaller scale, a memorial might be a roadside plaque, a park bench with an engraved name, a candlelit vigil, or a yearly service held to remember someone who has died.
Why are memorials important?
Memorials give grief and history a lasting shape, offering a shared place to mourn, reflect, and pay respect. They keep the memory of people and events alive for future generations, teach lessons from the past, and help communities acknowledge sacrifice and loss together rather than letting it fade quietly from view.
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