memento

[ muh-men-toh ]

noun

plural mementos, mementoes.

1. an object or item that serves to remind one of a person, past event, etc.; keepsake; souvenir.
2. anything serving as a reminder or warning.
3. (initial capital letter, italics) Roman Catholic Church. either of two prayers in the canon of the Mass, one for persons living and the other for persons dead.

memento

/ mɪˈmɛntəʊ /

noun

1. something that reminds one of past events; souvenir
2. RC Church either of two prayers occurring during the Mass

Spelling Note

Memento is sometimes spelled momento, perhaps by association with moment. The word is actually related to remember. One of its earliest meanings was “something that serves to warn.” The meaning “souvenir” is a recent development: The stone animal carvings are mementos of our trip to Victoria. Momento is considered by many to be a misspelling, but it occurs so frequently in edited writing that some regard it as a variant spelling rather than an error.

Word History and Origins

Origin of memento¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin mementō, imperative of meminisse to remember

Word History and Origins

Origin of memento¹

C15: from Latin, imperative of meminisse to remember

Example Sentences

As a result his baseball mementos, including the six gold gloves, were in storage and not in harm’s way when the fire hit.

From Los Angeles Times

Gordon and others took some paintings and a Renaissance-era Purim scroll from Villa Aurora but had to leave thousands of rare books and personal mementos behind.

From Los Angeles Times

Notable bands like TSOL, the Crowd, the Vandals and the Offspring will be among those featured, and an assortment of rare objects, artwork, flyers, photographs and personal mementos will be on display.

From Los Angeles Times

Family photographs, mementos from their travels and quirky accessories decorate the Beltran’s longtime apartment.

From Los Angeles Times

“She ratted me out! Yes, I have the teapot, which I realize is quite the memento,” says Krasinski, writing while in production on an upcoming project.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• keepsake
• relic
• remembrance
• reminder
• token
• trophy