Definition of COMMEMORATE (original) (raw)
1
: to call to remembrance
St. Andrew is commemorated on November 30.
2
: to mark by some ceremony or observation : observe
commemorate an anniversary
3
: to serve as a memorial of
a plaque that commemorates the battle
Did you know?
When you remember something, you are mindful of it. It's appropriate, therefore, that commemorate and other related memory-associated words (including memorable, memorial, remember, and memory itself) come from the Latin root memor, meaning "mindful." English speakers have been marking the memory of important events with commemorate since the late 16th century.
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for commemorate
kept the Sabbath by refraining from work
observe suggests marking the occasion by ceremonious performance.
not all holidays are observed nationally
celebrate suggests acknowledging an occasion by festivity.
traditionally celebrates Thanksgiving with a huge dinner
commemorate suggests that an occasion is marked by observances that remind one of the origin and significance of the event.
commemorate Memorial Day with the laying of wreaths
Examples of commemorate in a Sentence
The festival commemorates the town's founding. The plaque commemorates the battle that took place here 200 years ago. Each year on this date we commemorate our ancestors with a special ceremony.
Recent Examples on the Web William: There have been many great Williams across the ages, but William Wallace, who was a main leader of the First War of Scottish Independence, has commemorated this name for all time. —
Taylor Grothe, Parents, 20 Sep. 2024 Trump addressed the Israeli-American Council summit in Washington, D.C, on Thursday, during an evening focused on commemorating the October 7 attacks that sparked Israel’s war with Hamas. —Sarah McCammon, NPR, 20 Sep. 2024 Service matters, all year—not just on the holidays that commemorate military service and veterans. —Lisa Kalkes, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024 The iconic midriff-bearing top and live snake getup from the 2001 MTV VMAs is also commemorated in figurine form. —Tim Chan, Variety, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for commemorate 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'commemorate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin commemoratus, past participle of commemorare, from com- + memorare to remind of, from memor mindful — more at memory
First Known Use
1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of commemorate was in 1599
Dictionary Entries Near commemorate
Cite this Entry
“Commemorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commemorate. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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Last Updated: 24 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences
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