remembrance day: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Official, Ceremonial
Quick answer
What does “remembrance day” mean?
A fixed public holiday in several Commonwealth nations held on November 11th to honour military personnel who have died in the line of duty, coinciding with the anniversary of the end of World War I hostilities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fixed public holiday in several Commonwealth nations held on November 11th to honour military personnel who have died in the line of duty, coinciding with the anniversary of the end of World War I hostilities.
A solemn commemorative occasion marked by ceremonies, silence, and the wearing of remembrance poppies; the term can also be used generically (lowercase) for any day designated for remembering the dead of past wars.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK and most Commonwealth countries, 'Remembrance Day' is the standard term for the November 11th observance, though 'Remembrance Sunday' (the nearest Sunday) is often the main public ceremony day. In the US, the equivalent is called 'Veterans Day' (honouring all veterans). The US term 'Memorial Day' (in May) is closer in purpose to Remembrance Day, as it honours the war dead.
Connotations
UK/Commonwealth: Strong connotations of WWI, the poppy, silence, and national sacrifice. US: 'Remembrance Day' is rarely used; 'Veterans Day' has a broader, more celebratory tone for living veterans.
Frequency
Very high frequency in UK/Commonwealth contexts in late October and November. Very low frequency in US English, where 'Veterans Day' is dominant.
Grammar
How to Use “remembrance day” in a Sentence
observe [Remembrance Day]hold a [service] on Remembrance Daymark Remembrance Day with a [ceremony]wear a poppy for Remembrance DayVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “remembrance day” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The nation will remember its fallen on Remembrance Day.
- We gather to commemorate on Remembrance Sunday.
American English
- (Usage rare; would likely use 'honor on Veterans Day' instead).
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form derived from the proper noun).
American English
- (No standard adverbial form).
adjective
British English
- The Remembrance Day service was profoundly moving.
- She bought a Remembrance Day poppy.
American English
- (Not typically used adjectivally; 'Veterans Day parade' is standard).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
May refer to office closures or announcements about the public holiday.
Academic
Studied in history, sociology, and cultural studies as a ritual of national memory and mourning.
Everyday
Discussed in relation to holiday plans, wearing poppies, watching televised ceremonies.
Technical
Used in official government communications, historical calendars, and military commemorative planning.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “remembrance day”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “remembrance day”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “remembrance day”
- Incorrect: 'I celebrate Remembrance Day.' (Use 'observe' or 'mark', as it's solemn, not celebratory) | Incorrect: 'Remembrance Day is in May.' (Confusion with US Memorial Day) | Spelling: Remember the 'a' in 'remembrance'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In many Commonwealth countries like Canada, it is a statutory public holiday. In the UK, Remembrance Sunday is not a nationwide public holiday, but Remembrance Day (November 11th) is observed with ceremonies.
The red poppy was inspired by the poem 'In Flanders Fields' and symbolizes the flowers that grew on the battlefields of WWI, representing both the blood shed and hope for new life.
Remembrance Day is always November 11th. Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday in November, on which the UK holds its largest national ceremony, often conflated with the observance of the day itself.
Yes, but with different names and dates. For example, ANZAC Day (April 25th) serves a similar purpose in Australia and New Zealand. The UK/Commonwealth 'Remembrance Day' is specific to that cultural and historical tradition.
A fixed public holiday in several Commonwealth nations held on November 11th to honour military personnel who have died in the line of duty, coinciding with the anniversary of the end of World War I hostilities.
Remembrance day is usually formal, official, ceremonial in register.
Remembrance day: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈmembrəns deɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈmembrəns deɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lest we forget (commonly associated phrase)”
- “The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
REMEMBER + ANCE + DAY: A day for the act of remembering (remembrance) those who fell.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NATION IS A FAMILY MOURNING ITS LOST MEMBERS; HISTORY IS A SCROLL OF SACRIFICE.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary difference between Remembrance Day (UK/Commonwealth) and Veterans Day (US)?