English Reference
noun · verb

monument

n. · v.
US /ˈmɑnjəmənt/ UK /mˈɒnjuːmənt/ mon·u·ment UK spelling monument's, monument's, monumenting

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a statue, building, or other structure built to help people remember a famous person or important event.

    n.a structure, such as a statue or building, erected to commemorate a person or event.

    Simple

    The city built a large stone monument to honor the soldiers who died in the war.

    In context

    The granite monument stands at the center of the square, serving as a permanent tribute to the activists who led the reform movement.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a place or building that is important because of its history and is protected by the government.

    n.a site, building, or archaeological remain preserved for its historical, cultural, or scientific importance.

    Simple

    Ancient stone circles are protected as national monuments in many countries.

    In context

    The government designated the ruins of the medieval castle as a protected monument to prevent further urban encroachment.

    landmarkheritage site
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Literary

    n.something that is a very good or lasting example of a particular quality or achievement.

    n.an enduring and significant example of a particular quality, achievement, or human endeavor. Often used with 'to'.

    Simple

    The scientist's research is a monument to her hard work and dedication.

    In context

    The cathedral remains a monument to the architectural ingenuity of the twelfth century, surviving centuries of conflict and weather.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    n.a stone or structure placed over a grave to show who is buried there.

    n.a stone, pillar, or structure marking a place of interment.

    Simple

    They placed a simple marble monument over the grave of the famous poet.

    In context

    The cemetery is filled with elaborate Victorian monuments that reflect the social status of the families buried beneath them.

    tombstonegravestoneheadstone
  5. 05 C2 Proficiency Technical Technical

    n.a permanent object used by experts to mark a specific point on the land.

    n.a permanent marker set by a land surveyor to establish property boundaries or geodetic control points.

    Simple

    The surveyor looked for the iron monument that marked the corner of the property.

    In context

    The boundary dispute was finally settled when the original brass monument was located beneath several inches of topsoil.

  6. 06 C2 Proficiency Formal

    v.to build a monument for someone or something.

    v.to commemorate or mark a location or person with a monument.

    Simple

    The committee decided to monument the site where the treaty was signed.

    In context

    The project aims to monument the forgotten heroes of the revolution by placing plaques at key historical locations throughout the city.

    memorializecommemorate

Hundreds of people took part in the consecration of the monument, which towers 55.6 metres (182ft) over Konotopie in central Poland, a village of fewer than 150 people.

The Guardian· 16 Aug 2026

Archaeologists believe they have discovered an earlier, much simpler version of Stonehenge about 3 miles (5km) away from the prehistoric monument.

BBC News· 17 Jun 2026

From Middle English monument, from Old French monument, from Latin monumentum (“memorial, monument, tomb”), from monēre (“to remind”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin monumentum
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated