Definition of COMMEMORATES (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 The American Women Quarters Program is a four-year project run by the U.S. Mint that commemorates the contributions and accomplishments that women have made to the nation. —
Paula Soria, The Arizona Republic, 6 Sep. 2024 The one-of-a-kind figurine commemorates Barbie’s 65th anniversary, as well as Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S., which takes place between Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 6 Sep. 2024 Ahead of a tour commemorating the 30th anniversary of Weezer (b.k.a. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2024 These stamps commemorated the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki and the 1952 World Cycling Championships. —Tim Genske, Forbes, 4 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 19 Sep. 2024.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on commemorate
Last Updated: 12 Sep 2024 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!