# memorial

/məˈmɔɹiəɫ/ (US) · /məmˈɔːɹɪəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/memorial
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a monument

noun · CEFR B1

a statue, building, or object created to help people remember a person or a past event.

For teachers: a physical structure or object established to preserve the memory of a person, group, or historical event.

- The town built a stone memorial to remember the soldiers who died in the war.
- The architect designed a minimalist memorial that encouraged visitors to reflect silently on the tragedy while walking through the granite pillars.

### 2. a ceremony

noun · CEFR B2

a special event or religious service held to honor someone who has died.

For teachers: a commemorative service or ceremony performed in honour of a deceased person.

- The family held a small memorial for their grandfather in the garden.
- The university organised a public memorial to celebrate the professor's lifelong contribution to the field of linguistics.

### 3. legal petition

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

a formal document given to a government or court that lists facts and asks for something.

For teachers: a formal statement of facts addressed to a legislative body or court, typically accompanying a petition.

- The group submitted a memorial to the government asking for a change in the law.
- The legal team drafted a detailed memorial outlining the historical grievances of the community to be presented before the international tribunal.

### 4. commemorative

adjective · CEFR B2

used to describe something that is done to remember a person or event.

For teachers: serving as a remembrance or commemoration of a person or event.

- They planted a memorial tree in the park for the former mayor.
- The foundation established a memorial scholarship to support students who demonstrated the same commitment to social justice as the late senator.

## Examples

- The city built a stone memorial for the soldiers.
- The local community gathered at the war memorial to lay wreaths and observe a moment of silence.
- Architects designed the memorial to be an immersive space where visitors could reflect on the historical tragedy through both silence and symbolic sculpture.

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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.