What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
commemoration
Example
The city organized a commemoration to honor the soldiers who fought in the war. [commemoration: noun]
Example
Every year, we have a commemorative service to remember the victims of the tragedy. [commemorative: adjective]
memorial
Example
We visited the memorial to pay our respects to the fallen heroes. [memorial: noun]
Example
She keeps a small memorial plaque on her desk in memory of her late grandfather. [memorial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Memorial is more commonly used than commemoration in everyday language. Memorial is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while commemoration is less common and is typically used in specific contexts related to events or ceremonies.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between commemoration and memorial?
Both commemoration and memorial can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, commemoration may be more commonly used in formal settings due to its association with organized events and ceremonies, while memorial can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
