Commemorative Meaning
/kəˈmɛmrətɪv/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjServing to commemorate something.
nounAn object made to commemorate a person, mark an event, etc.
Sentence Examples
The commemorative ceremony ended with the closing address.
I bought a commemorative medal on my trip.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The museum sold a ____ plate marking the queen's visit last year.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
They released a ____ stamp to honor the historic anniversary.
Word Origin & History
First attested in 1612; borrowed from New Latin commemorātīvus, from commemorō. By surface analysis, commemorate + -ive, cognate with French commémoratif.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The centenary of Britain's most famous train has called for a commemorative and descriptive work and in this 40-page illustrated booklet the author has tried—with some success, to pour a quart into a pint pot."
— 1962 October, “New Reading on Railways: The Flying Scotsman 1862-1962. By C. Hamilton Ellis. Allen & Unwin. 6s.”, in Modern Railways, unnumbered page:
"The plaza in front of San Francisco's City Hall was the scene Nov. 27 of two separate ceremonies commemorative of the assassinations one year ago of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk."
— 1979 December 8, “Services Honor Milk, Moscone”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 20, page 1:
"beautiful Pictorials, topicals, commemoratives, airmails. Introductory selection 40% discount. Ralph Rice, 15 Longlane, West Hartford 7, Conn."
— 1956 December, “Classified Advertisements: Stamp collecting”, in Popular Mechanics, volume 106, number 6, page 57:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The museum sold a ____ plate marking the queen's visit last year.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
They released a ____ stamp to honor the historic anniversary.