What does commemorating mean?
'Commemorating' is the present participle of the verb 'commemorate', meaning to honour the memory of a person, event, or achievement through some deliberate public act — a ceremony, monument, plaque, service, or dedicated observance. The word comes from the Latin 'commemorare', meaning to call to mind or remind, and entered English in the early modern period. It is used chiefly in formal and semi-formal registers: news reports describe nations commemorating wartime anniversaries, institutions commemorating their founders, and communities commemorating historic milestones. Unlike 'celebrating', which suggests festivity and joy, commemorating tends toward solemnity and respect, making it the natural choice for memorials and acts of remembrance. It can also mark joyful occasions such as centenaries, but even then it retains a tone of dignified recognition rather than mere party-going. The word is valuable precisely because it names this distinct, communal act of structured remembrance that neither simple remembering nor celebrating fully captures.
verb (present participle / -ing form of commemorate)The act of honouring or remembering a person, event, or achievement, especially through a ceremony, monument, or observance. As the -ing form of 'commemorate', it describes an ongoing or planned act of remembrance.
- Honouring the memory of a person, event, or achievement through a formal ceremony, monument, or observance.
- Marking an anniversary or significant date with a dedicated act or event.
"The city is commemorating the centenary of the bridge's opening with a week of exhibitions."
"A plaque was unveiled, commemorating the soldiers who fought in the battle."
"Schools across the country are holding assemblies commemorating the founding of the nation."
The word 'commemorating' traces back to Latin 'commemorare', literally 'to call to mind together' — remembrance as a shared, communal act.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of commemorating
'Commemorating' derives from the Latin verb 'commemorare', formed from 'com-' ('together') plus 'memorare' ('to bring to mind'), rooted in 'memor' meaning 'mindful'. English adopted 'commemorate' in the early 17th century, likely via Latin learned usage rather than direct vernacular transmission. It shares its root with 'memory', 'memorial', 'memoir', and the adjective 'commemorative'. The -ing form functions both as a present participle and a gerund, following standard English verbal morphology.
Related word forms
How commemorating is actually used
Register is formal to neutral; 'commemorating' appears most often in ceremonial, historical, journalistic, and official contexts. It typically carries a respectful, sometimes solemn connotation, though anniversaries of happy events can also be commemorated. In everyday casual speech, simpler words like 'marking' or 'remembering' are often preferred.
Easily confused with commemorating
Celebrating implies festive joy at an occasion, while commemorating carries a more solemn tone of remembrance and honour.
Remembering is the mental act of recalling something privately, whereas commemorating is a public, formal act of marking it.