commemoration

[ kuh-mem-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of commemorating.
2. a service, celebration, etc., in memory of some person or event.
3. a memorial.
4. (in many Christian churches) a special service or prayer for commemorating the lesser feast on days on which two feasts of unequal rank are celebrated.

Other Words From

• com·memo·ration·al adjective
• noncom·memo·ration noun
• noncom·memo·ration·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of commemoration¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin commemorātiōn- (stem of commemorātiō ), equivalent to commemorāt ( us ) ( commemorate ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

It was not that this was a place where despair led to a lasting choice, but that the area was filled with trash and rotting construction signs rather than any commemoration for the lives that were lost.

From Vox

I think commemoration ought to drive change and not be a substitute for change.

From Washington Post

Orlando City Hall on June 1 raised the Pride flag in commemoration of Pride month.

From Washington Blade

He recently became the first president to visit Tulsa in commemoration of a race massacre there.

From Washington Post

On May 8, Thiel organized a community commemoration of the 91st anniversary of the Sherman Riot and the lynching of Hughes.

From Washington Post

As late as the fifth century, powerful aristocratic women took charge of the commemoration of the dead in Rome.

From The Daily Beast

To Bartholdi, his statue meant a commemoration of Liberty attained.

From The Daily Beast

But the Maryland governor also has higher ambitions for the commemoration.

From The Daily Beast

Just before commemoration week, the province had uncovered another body and was preparing it for burial.

From The Daily Beast

The majority are now in school elsewhere but return each year during commemoration.

From The Daily Beast

Musical festival in Westminster abbey, in commemoration of the birthday of Handel.

From Project Gutenberg

On the first day of the seventh month, Tishri (October), is the commemoration of the creation of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

I will not however speak of them all, but only those whom I suppose to be worthy of commemoration and full discussion.

From Project Gutenberg

In commemoration of this miraculous manifestation of the divine will the city was named Tzintzuntzan, 'place of celestial birds.'

From Project Gutenberg

Finally, a medal was struck in commemoration of the event, and presented to the workmen.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• celebration
• ceremony
• remembrance
• tribute