WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
com•mem•o•rate /kəˈmɛməˌreɪt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -rat•ed, -rat•ing.
com•mem•o•ra•tor, n. [countable]See -mem-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to serve as a memorial or reminder of: The monument commemorates a naval victory.
- to honor the memory of by some observance: to commemorate Bastille Day.
com•mem•o•ra•tor, n. [countable]See -mem-.
com•mem•o•rate
(kə mem′ə rāt′),USA pronunciation v.t., -rat•ed, -rat•ing.
com•mem′o•ra•ble, adj.
com•mem′o•ra′tor, n.
- to serve as a memorial or reminder of:The monument commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
- to honor the memory of by some observance:to commemorate the dead by a moment of silence; to commemorate Bastille Day.
- to make honorable mention of.
- Latin commemorātus (past participle of commemorāre) to recall, put on record, equivalent. to com- com- + memor mindful + -ātus -ate1
- 1590–1600
com•mem′o•ra′tor, n.