memorial

[ muh-mawr-ee-uhl, -mohr- ]

noun

1. something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday.
2. a written statement of facts presented to a sovereign, a legislative body, etc., as the ground of, or expressed in the form of, a petition or remonstrance.

adjective

1. preserving the memory of a person or thing; commemorative:

   memorial services.

2. of or relating to the memory.

memorial

/ mɪˈmɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. serving to preserve the memory of the dead or a past event
2. of or involving memory

noun

1. something serving as a remembrance
2. a written statement of facts submitted to a government, authority, etc, in conjunction with a petition
3. an informal diplomatic paper

Derived Forms

• meˈmorially, adverb

Other Words From

• me·mori·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of memorial¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin memoriāle, noun use of neuter of Latin memoriālis for or containing memoranda. See memory, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of memorial¹

C14: from Late Latin memoriāle a reminder, neuter of memoriālis belonging to remembrance

Example Sentences

The 69-year street vendor said she lives in a motel near the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, arriving there after a stint of homelessness that occurred when code enforcement forced her to move from an illegal garage she rented for around $500 a month.

From Los Angeles Times

A larger, public memorial is being planned, but no date has been announced.

From Los Angeles Times

And that is before Zaun radicals violently attack a memorial service honoring the survivors of Jinx’s atrocity.

From Salon

An informal memorial was created outside Dodger Stadium after his death was announced.

From Los Angeles Times

While Memorial Day honors those who have died in our foreign wars, Veterans Day honors the service of all those who have served this country in uniform.

From Salon