commemoration

noun

com·​mem·​o·​ra·​tion kə-ˌme-mə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce commemoration (audio)
1
: the act of commemorating
2
: something that commemorates

Examples of commemoration in a Sentence

Several well-known celebrities attended the commemoration.
Recent Examples on the Web For the first time since that night 54 years ago, Mayfield and Cole are introduced to two members of Up With People who traveled to Oxford for the commemoration. Debbie Elliott, NPR, 28 Feb. 2024 MacArthur Cotton, a civil rights veteran who lives in Kosciusko, Mississippi, welcomes the commemorations. Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024 Others, however, believe the popular New Orleans lore, which suggests that an elaborate cake was served with a bean or ring placed inside during the commemoration of the king's ball in colonial Louisiana. Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2024 There are talks of a memorial, among other commemorations. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2024 The dual suicide bombing killed at least 95 people and wounded dozens of others attending a commemoration for the late Gen. Qassem Soleiman. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 26 Jan. 2024 So, not to have the traditional Russian public viewing of the body and then basically a commemoration of the graveside. CBS News, 25 Feb. 2024 However, most Americans today likely don't view the federal holiday as a commemoration of just one specific president. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2024 The group recommended the museum arrange for the burial of the remains in a historic Black cemetery and hold a public commemoration ceremony for the remains, among other things. Justin Gamble, CNN, 9 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'commemoration.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of commemoration was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near commemoration

Cite this Entry

“Commemoration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commemoration. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

commemoration

noun
com·​mem·​o·​ra·​tion kə-ˌmem-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce commemoration (audio)
1
: the act of commemorating
2
: a ceremony that commemorates

More from Merriam-Webster on commemoration

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