memorial

An object or structure built to help people remember someone who died or an important event.

• We left flowers at the memorial.
• The town built a memorial to the soldiers who died.
• Their names appear on several war memorials.

How to use it: a memorial to someone/something (They built a memorial to the flood victims.)

Similar words: monument

Common phrases: war memorial, memorial to someone, visit a memorial

A ceremony held to remember someone who has died.

• We attended a memorial for our teacher.
• Her friends organized a small memorial at the school.
• Two memorials were held for the victims.

How to use it: a memorial for someone (A memorial for her father will be held on Friday.)

Similar words: memorial service

Common phrases: attend a memorial, hold a memorial, memorial for someone

Created or held to remember someone who died or an important event.

• They held a memorial service on Sunday.
• A memorial plaque marks the place where she lived.
• The family opened a memorial garden beside the hospital.

Similar words: commemorative

Common phrases: memorial service, memorial plaque, memorial garden

Existing in a person’s memory rather than as a physical thing.

• The lost house remained a memorial possession.
• He described the memorial images of his childhood.
• These memorial impressions survived long after the journey.

Similar words: remembered

Common phrases: memorial possession, memorial image