# commemoration

/kəˌmɛmɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /kəmˌɛməɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/commemoration
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. the act of honoring a memory

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a ceremony or event held to remember and show respect for someone or something important.

For teachers: the act of commemorating; a formal observance or celebration intended to honor the memory of a person or historical event.

- The town held a quiet commemoration for the soldiers who died in the war.
- The annual commemoration of the armistice serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'of'.

### 2. a memorial object

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

something created to help people remember a person or event, like a statue or a plaque.

For teachers: a physical object, monument, or memorial that serves the purpose of preserving a memory.

- The bronze plaque was placed on the wall as a commemoration of the school's founder.
- Architects designed the monument not merely as a decoration, but as a lasting commemoration of the city's resilience after the earthquake.

### 3. religious prayer

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a special mention of a saint or a dead person during a religious service.

For teachers: the specific mention or naming of individual saints or the deceased within formal prayers or liturgy.

- The priest included a special commemoration for the saints during the morning prayer.
- In the traditional liturgy, the commemoration of the martyrs follows the primary collect of the day.

### 4. Oxford festival

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Formal

a famous annual festival at Oxford University with special ceremonies.

For teachers: the primary festival of the Oxford academic year, featuring the Encaenia and various social celebrations.

- Many graduates returned to the university to attend the Commemoration events in June.
- Commemoration remains a cornerstone of the Oxford social calendar, traditionally held in the ninth week of the Trinity term.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly specific to the University of Oxford and is usually capitalized in that context.

## Examples

- The town held a commemoration for the fallen soldiers.
- The annual commemoration at the cathedral includes a moment of silence and the laying of wreaths.
- The museum's latest exhibition serves as a somber commemoration of the victims, ensuring their stories are preserved for future generations through interactive oral histories.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.