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

Resist the urge to build your personal memorial, and take a selfie instead.

From Outside Online

Johns Hopkins, benefactor of namesake hospital and university, was an enslaverThis movement has led many schools to remove Confederate monuments and symbols, rename buildings and establish memorials to those who were enslaved.

From Washington Post

Another demands removal of the “Talbot Boys” memorial from the Talbot County courthouse on the Eastern Shore, thought to be the only Confederate monument on state property in Maryland.

From Washington Post

All that was missing was the Vietnam memorial coming to life and doing the wave.

From Washington Post

Legal challenges kept Lee standing throughout the summer, even as Mayor Levar Stoney had nearly a dozen other Confederate memorials taken down from city property.

From Washington Post

And if you want proof of what the country is really all about, just walk through the National September 11 Memorial Museum.

From The Daily Beast

Will and Kate will start with a visit to the 9/11 Memorial downtown, and end with a monster fundraiser at the Met.

From The Daily Beast

However, the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation seems to be behind the idea of making their famous supporter a volunteer cop.

From The Daily Beast

The memorial service is one thing England still knows how to do far better than any other nation.

From The Daily Beast

A memorial service will be held in Latina Friday, November 28th, 2014.

From The Daily Beast

Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour, and make a fat offering, and then give place to the physician.

From Project Gutenberg

The work was commenced in June, 1882, the memorial stone being laid February 15th, the following year.

From Project Gutenberg

He was indeed a faithful old servant; but he was quite ignorant of any memorial on his behalf having been sent to the Directors.

From Project Gutenberg

The memorial further shows that Strathearn was again at issue with Bruce before the battle of Methven.

From Project Gutenberg

No written memorial bears witness against me in that respect.

From Project Gutenberg