remembrance

noun

re·​mem·​brance ri-ˈmem-brən(t)s 

 also  -bə-rən(t)s

1

: the state of bearing in mind

2

a

: the ability to remember : memory

b

: the period over which one's memory extends

3

: an act of recalling to mind

4

: a memory of a person, thing, or event

5

a

: something that serves to keep in or bring to mind : reminder

b

: commemoration, memorial

c

: a greeting or gift recalling or expressing friendship or affection

Synonyms

• anamnesis
• memory
• recall
• recollection
• reminiscence

Choose the Right Synonym for remembrance

memory, remembrance, recollection, reminiscence mean the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered.

memory applies both to the power of remembering and to what is remembered.

gifted with a remarkable memory

that incident was now just a distant memory

remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered.

any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful

recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort.

after a moment's recollection he produced the name

reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past.

my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

Examples of remembrance in a Sentence

a happy couple with many fond remembrances of when they were dating in college

she gave her boyfriend on the eve of his military service one of her lockets as a remembrance of their abiding affection

Recent Examples on the Web

Flags also fly at half-staff on Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance. —Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 7 Dec. 2024

The date is in remembrance of Joel Poinsett, who died Dec. 12, 1851. —Kurt Snibbe, Orange County Register, 29 Nov. 2024

In 1863, shortly before referencing the founding fathers in his more famous Gettysburg Address, Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation asking Americans to set aside the last Thursday of November as a national holiday of remembrance and gratitude. —Michael Morris, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024

Just as the new holiday of remembrance and gratitude helped to reunite the country after the Civil War, Thanksgiving can also work to redress our rifts today—in our polarized nation and even in our families. —Michael Morris, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

remembrance

noun

re·​mem·​brance ri-ˈmem-brən(t)s 

1

: the act of remembering

2

: something remembered

3

a

: something (as a souvenir) that serves to keep in or bring to mind : reminder

b

: something (as a greeting or gift) recalling or expressing friendship