Commemorates

Commemorates is the third-person singular present tense of commemorate, meaning to honor or remember someone or something by means of a ceremony, monument, or other lasting reminder. It is used for events, people, dates, places, or acts that are considered worthy of remembrance.

In usage, it is typically followed by an object such as an event or person. The city commemorates the battle with a parade, and the museum commemorates the author with a permanent exhibit. Commemorating often implies solemnity or respect but can also acknowledge achievements. It is distinct from celebrate, which tends to express joy or triumph, while commemorating can encompass mourning, reflection, or tribute.

Common contexts include national holidays, memorials, anniversaries, dedications, inscriptions, and educational programs. The noun form commemorations refers to the acts or ceremonies themselves, and commemorative describes items created to preserve memory, such as stamps, coins, or plaques.

Etymology: commemorates derives from the verb commemorate, which traces to Latin commemorare, through Old French into English. The core sense involves memory and the act of bringing past people or events to present awareness.