remembrance sunday: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Ceremonial
Quick answer
What does “remembrance sunday” mean?
The Sunday in November (nearest to 11 November) in the UK and Commonwealth countries, dedicated to remembering the dead of the two World Wars and later conflicts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The Sunday in November (nearest to 11 November) in the UK and Commonwealth countries, dedicated to remembering the dead of the two World Wars and later conflicts.
A solemn national occasion involving ceremonies, the laying of wreaths at war memorials, two minutes of silence, and the wearing of red poppies as a symbol of remembrance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is used almost exclusively in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth realms. In the US, the equivalent is Veterans Day (11 November), which is not typically observed on a Sunday and has a different focus (honouring living veterans).
Connotations
In the UK, strong connotations of solemnity, sacrifice, and national reflection. In the US, the term is largely unknown or understood only as a specific British/Commonwealth observance.
Frequency
High frequency in UK media and national life in November; negligible frequency in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “remembrance sunday” in a Sentence
The nation observes Remembrance Sunday.The ceremony takes place on Remembrance Sunday.He will lay a wreath this Remembrance Sunday.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “remembrance sunday” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The nation will commemorate Remembrance Sunday.
- We marked Remembrance Sunday with a service.
American English
- (Term not used in typical AmE verb collocations.)
adverb
British English
- (No adverbial use – it is a proper noun.)
American English
- (No adverbial use – it is a proper noun.)
adjective
British English
- The Remembrance Sunday parade was moving.
- She bought a Remembrance Sunday poppy.
American English
- (Term not used in typical AmE adjective collocations.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly mentioned in relation to public holidays or office closures in the UK.
Academic
Used in historical, political, and cultural studies discussing national memory and commemoration.
Everyday
Used in general UK conversation, media reports, and discussions of plans for the weekend in November.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “remembrance sunday”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “remembrance sunday”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “remembrance sunday”
- Writing it in lower case ('remembrance sunday').
- Confusing it with Veterans Day (US) or ANZAC Day (AU/NZ).
- Using it as a common noun, e.g., 'We had a remembrance Sunday for our pet.' (Incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a statutory bank holiday in the UK, though it is widely observed.
It is observed at 11 am to mark the moment the Armistice ended World War I in 1918, and to reflect on the sacrifice of all who have died in conflict.
Armistice Day is specifically 11 November. Remembrance Sunday is the Sunday nearest to that date, on which the main national ceremonies are now held in the UK.
The term is used in Commonwealth realms like Canada and Australia. Many other countries have their own days of remembrance, but not typically called 'Remembrance Sunday'.
The Sunday in November (nearest to 11 November) in the UK and Commonwealth countries, dedicated to remembering the dead of the two World Wars and later conflicts.
Remembrance sunday is usually formal, historical, ceremonial in register.
Remembrance sunday: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈmembrəns ˈsʌndeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈmembrəns ˈsʌndeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none specific to this term)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
REMEMBER the men and women who served; the SUN(day) they are honoured.
Conceptual Metaphor
A DAY IS A CONTAINER FOR NATIONAL MEMORY; REMEMBRANCE IS A RITUAL.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary focus of Remembrance Sunday?