First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
monument
noun mon·u·ment \ˈmän-yə-mənt\
: a building, statue, etc., that honors a person or event
: a building or place that is important because of when it was built or because of something in history that happened there
: an example of something
Full Definition of MONUMENT
1
obsolete : a burial vault : sepulchre
2
: a written legal document or record : treatise
3
a (1) : a lasting evidence, reminder, or example of someone or something notable or great (2) : a distinguished person b : a memorial stone or a building erected in remembrance of a person or event
5
obsolete : a carved statue : effigy
6
: a boundary or position marker (as a stone)
8
: a written tribute
See monument defined for English-language learners
See monument defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of MONUMENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin monumentum, literally, memorial, from monēre to remind — more at mind
Related to MONUMENT
- Synonyms
- gravestone, headstone, tombstone, stone
MONUMENT Defined for Kids
monument
noun mon·u·ment \ˈmän-yə-mənt\
Definition of MONUMENT for Kids
1
: a structure (as a building, stone, or statue) made to keep alive the memory of a person or event
2
: something that serves as a good reminder or example <“That is a monument to the foolishness of love.” — Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux>
Learn More About MONUMENT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: monumentalPrevious Word in the Dictionary: MontrachetAll Words Near: monument
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up monument? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).