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
Alina Selyukh, NPR, 31 May 2025
Arizona's Family reported that Terri and the wider Scottsdale community will host a memorial hike in honor of Hannah on what would've been her 32nd birthday this Saturday, May 31.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 30 May 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
Handlers in white gloves carried memorial vessels containing the skulls for interment.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 31 May 2025
Arizona's Family reported that Terri and the wider Scottsdale community will host a memorial hike in honor of Hannah on what would've been her 32nd birthday this Saturday, May 31.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 30 May 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 6 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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