me·mo·ri·al
mə-ˈmȯr-ē-əl 
1
: serving to preserve remembrance : commemorative
2
: of or relating to memory
1
2
b
: memorandum, note
specifically
: a legal abstract
c
: a statement of facts addressed to a government and often accompanied by a petition or remonstrance
Examples of memorial in a Sentence
Adjective
a memorial plaque on the bridge for a diver who died in the line of duty
Noun
the Vietnam War Memorial is a starkly beautiful testimonial to the bravery of the soldiers who served in Vietnam
Recent Examples on the Web
Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
Diversity, Inclusion and Vulnerability Day will feature a noon memorial led by the Rev. Melissa Hrdlicka of Joy Lutheran Church and music performances by The Average Janes (11 a.m.), Seth West (during the memorial service), Wendy Elizabeth (1 p.m.) and Michael Mahan (2:30 p.m.).
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 11 June 2025
Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
One of my passion projects were two huge carvings: one of a rhino carved with blue-and-white china patterns, bringing into conversation the heartbreaking trade of rhino horn to China, and a whale work carved of flowers, a memorial to our dying oceans.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for memorial
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Adjective
One shared goal of the advisory committee was to ensure that the memorial honored both the gay and Latino communities who felt at home at the club before the shooting.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
Diversity, Inclusion and Vulnerability Day will feature a noon memorial led by the Rev. Melissa Hrdlicka of Joy Lutheran Church and music performances by The Average Janes (11 a.m.), Seth West (during the memorial service), Wendy Elizabeth (1 p.m.) and Michael Mahan (2:30 p.m.).
—Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 11 June 2025
Noun
Survivors include his partner of 43 years, Timothy; sisters Linda and Patricia; niece Shelby; and nephews Jeff and Sean.
A graveside service and memorial is set for June 20 in Flint, Michigan, with an additional life celebration to be held layer in the Los Angeles area.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 2 June 2025
One of my passion projects were two huge carvings: one of a rhino carved with blue-and-white china patterns, bringing into conversation the heartbreaking trade of rhino horn to China, and a whale work carved of flowers, a memorial to our dying oceans.
—Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for memorial
Cite this Entry
“Memorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorial. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
memorial
1 of 2 adjective
me·mo·ri·al
mə-ˈmōr-ē-əl
-ˈmȯr-
: serving to preserve the memory of a person or an event
a memorial service
memorial
2 of 2 noun
: something that keeps alive the memory of a person or event
especially
: monument sense 1
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