memorial day: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium-HighFormal, Historical, Patriotic, Observational
Quick answer
What does “memorial day” mean?
A federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning military personnel who have died while serving in the U.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning military personnel who have died while serving in the U.S. armed forces.
The holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, also commonly marks the unofficial start of the summer season in the U.S., involving family gatherings, barbecues, and sporting events, though its primary purpose remains commemorative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, there is no equivalent national holiday. The term is used only in reference to the U.S. holiday. The UK has Remembrance Sunday, which is distinct.
Connotations
In US English, it connotes patriotism, sacrifice, summer's start, and national memory. In UK English, it's recognized as a foreign cultural and historical reference.
Frequency
Very high frequency in US English, especially in late May. Very low frequency in UK English, typically appearing only in international news or history contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “memorial day” in a Sentence
[observe/celebrate/honor] Memorial DayMemorial Day [is/falls] on...the [meaning/tradition/history] of Memorial DayVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “memorial day” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Americans memorialise their fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.
American English
- We memorialize the war dead on Memorial Day.
adjective
British English
- The memorial service was deeply moving.
American English
- The Memorial Day parade is a big event in our town.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"Our offices will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday."
Academic
"The evolution of Memorial Day from Decoration Day reflects changes in American national identity."
Everyday
"Are you having a barbecue for Memorial Day?"
Technical
(Historical/Legal) "Memorial Day was established as a federal holiday by an act of Congress in 1971."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “memorial day”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “memorial day”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “memorial day”
- Writing it lowercase ('memorial day').
- Using 'on' incorrectly (e.g., 'at Memorial Day' – use 'on').
- Confusing it with Veterans Day or Labor Day.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It has a dual nature. Its core purpose is solemn remembrance, which can be sad. However, many people also use the long weekend for joyful family gatherings, making it bittersweet for American culture.
Memorial Day honours military personnel who died in service. Veterans Day honours all military veterans, living and dead, but primarily celebrates the service of living veterans.
No, 'Memorial Day' is specifically a U.S. holiday. Many countries have similar days of remembrance (e.g., Remembrance Sunday in the UK, ANZAC Day in Australia/New Zealand), but they have different names and traditions.
The red poppy is a symbol of remembrance for war dead, inspired by the poem 'In Flanders Fields.' While more common in the UK/Commonwealth on Remembrance Day, some Americans also wear them on Memorial Day to signify the same sentiment.
A federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning military personnel who have died while serving in the U.
Memorial day is usually formal, historical, patriotic, observational in register.
Memorial day: in British English it is pronounced /məˌmɔː.ri.əl ˈdeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˌmɔːr.i.əl ˈdeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The true meaning of Memorial Day (referring to the original solemn purpose versus modern leisure activities)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MEMORIAL Day helps us keep MEMORY alive for those who served.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DAY is a CONTAINER FOR MEMORY (and also for the start of summer).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of Memorial Day?