adjective
monumental
Relating to structures built to commemorate people or events.
The historian studies monumental inscriptions that honor the town's fallen soldiers.
Etymology
Monument comes from a Latin word for something that reminds. Monumental in this sense concerns the structures created to keep a person or event in public memory.
More examples
- The cemetery contains monumental sculpture commemorating several local leaders.
- Her research explores monumental architecture built to commemorate national heroes.
- Conservators repair the monumental stonework surrounding the soldier's tomb.
Forms
monumental
monument noun — A structure commemorating a person or event.
Similar words
- commemorative
- Commemorative applies to any tribute, not only built structures.
- memorial
- Memorial also describes services and funds that preserve someone's memory.