Monument vs. Memorial — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 19, 2023
A monument is a structure created to commemorate a person, event, or concept, while a memorial serves a similar purpose but may not be a physical structure. Both aim to honor and remember, but monuments are often larger and more permanent.
Difference Between Monument and Memorial
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A monument is typically a physical structure like a statue, building, or plaque designed to commemorate an important person, event, or concept. Memorials also commemorate, but they can be non-physical, such as ceremonies or digital commemorations. While both are meant to honor and remember, monuments are usually more permanent and tangible.
Monuments often aim to be grandiose and are usually made of durable materials like stone, metal, or concrete. Memorials, on the other hand, can be simpler and more ephemeral, like a candlelight vigil or an online tribute page. Both serve the role of remembering and honoring, but the scope and permanence can differ.
In public spaces, monuments often serve as landmarks and are created to last, reflecting their historical or cultural significance. Memorials, meanwhile, are more focused on the act of remembrance and can be temporary or permanent, physical or non-physical. Despite their differences, both aim to evoke respect and remembrance.
Both monument and memorial are nouns, but the usage can differ based on their physical attributes and the intent behind their creation. While monuments are generally erected for public viewing and are expected to last for years, memorials can be private or public, temporary or permanent, and physical or conceptual.
Comparison Chart
Physical Structure
Usually
Can be, but not always
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Permanence
Generally permanent
Can be temporary
Materials
Durable materials like stone
Varied, including non-physical
Public vs. Private
Usually public
Can be private
Focus
Historical significance
Act of remembrance
Compare with Definitions
Monument
Monument refers to a permanent structure commemorating a historical figure.
The Lincoln Monument stands tall in Washington D.C.
Memorial
Memorial refers to an object or event that commemorates.
The memorial plaque is mounted on the wall.
Monument
Monument denotes a building of historical significance.
The ancient ruins are considered a monument.
Memorial
Memorial is a tribute to remember a person or event.
The online memorial collected heartfelt messages.
Monument
Monument signifies an object serving as a lasting tribute.
The artwork serves as a monument to his talent.
Memorial
Memorial denotes a ceremony honoring someone or something.
The memorial service was held at the chapel.
Monument
Monument is a landmark with cultural importance.
The monument is a popular tourist attraction.
Memorial
Memorial is a representation serving to honor.
The memorial statue was unveiled last year.
Monument
A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, historical, political, technical or architectural importance. Some of the first monuments were dolmens or menhirs, megalithic constructions built for religious or funerary purposes.
Memorial
Memorial signifies a place of remembrance.
Visitors left flowers at the 9/11 Memorial.
Monument
A statue, building, or other structure erected to commemorate a notable person or event
A monument to Magellan is in the main square of the city
A simple stone monument marked the nearby crash site
Memorial
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for the memory or the commemoration of something, usually an influential, deceased person or a historical, tragic event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or works of art such as sculptures, statues or fountains and parks.
Monument
A structure, such as a building or sculpture, erected as a memorial.
Memorial
A statue or structure established to remind people of a person or event
A memorial to General Robert E. Lee
Monument
An inscribed marker placed at a grave; a tombstone.
Memorial
A statement of facts, especially as the basis of a petition
The Council sent a strongly worded memorial to the Chancellor of the Exchequer
Monument
Something venerated for its enduring historic significance or association with a notable past person or thing
The architectural monuments of ancient Rome.
Traditions that are monuments to an earlier era.
Memorial
Something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to celebrate or honor the memory of a person or an event.
Monument
An outstanding enduring achievement
A translation that is a monument of scholarship.
Memorial
A written statement of facts or a petition presented to a legislative body or an executive.
Monument
An exceptional example
"Thousands of them wrote texts, some of them monuments of dullness" (Robert L. Heilbroner).
Memorial
Serving as a remembrance of a person or an event; commemorative.
Monument
An object, such as a post or stone, fixed in the ground so as to mark a boundary or position.
Memorial
Of, relating to, or being in memory.
Monument
A structure built for commemorative or symbolic reasons, or as a memorial; a commemoration.
There is a monument on the town green to the soldiers who died in World War I.
Memorial
(obsolete) Memory; recollection.
Monument
An important site owned by the community as a whole.
Memorial
Something, such as a monument, by which someone or something is remembered.
Monument
An exceptional or proud achievement.
Memorial
A chronicle or memoir.
Monument
An important burial vault or tomb.
Memorial
A note or memorandum.
Monument
Any grave marker.
Memorial
A service of remembrance or commemoration.
Monument
A legal document.
Memorial
(legal) A statement of facts set out in the form of a petition to a person in authority, a court or tribunal, a government, etc.
Monument
A surveying reference point marked by a permanently fixed marker (a survey monument).
Memorial
Serving as a remembrance of someone or something; commemorative.
A memorial building
Monument
A pile of stones left by a prospector to claim ownership of ore etc. found in a mine.
Memorial
Contained in the memory.
A memorial possession
Monument
(surveying) A natural or artificial object used as a reference point.
Memorial
Mnemonic; assisting the memory.
Monument
A surviving record.
Memorial
Serving to preserve remembrance; commemorative; as, a memorial building.
There high in air, memorial of my name,Fix the smooth oar, and bid me live to fame.
Monument
(transitive) To mark or memorialize with a monument.
Memorial
Contained in memory; as, a memorial possession.
Monument
Something which stands, or remains, to keep in remembrance what is past; a memorial.
Of ancient British artA pleasing monument.
Our bruised arms hung up for monuments.
Memorial
Mnemonic; assisting the memory.
This succession of Aspirate, Soft, and Hard, may be expressed by the memorial word ASH.
Monument
A building, pillar, stone, or the like, erected to preserve the remembrance of a person, event, action, etc.; as, the Washington monument; the Bunker Hill monument. Also, a tomb, with memorial inscriptions.
On your family's old monumentHang mournful epitaphs, and do all ritesThat appertain unto a burial.
Memorial
Anything intended to preserve the memory of a person or event; something which serves to keep something else in remembrance; a monument.
Churches have names; some as memorials of peace, some of wisdom, some in memory of the Trinity itself.
Monument
A stone or other permanent object, serving to indicate a limit or to mark a boundary.
Memorial
A memorandum; a record.
Monument
A saying, deed, or example, worthy of record.
Acts and Monuments of these latter and perilous days.
Memorial
A written representation of facts, addressed to the government, or to some branch of it, or to a society, etc., - often accompanied with a petition.
Monument
A structure erected to commemorate persons or events
Memorial
Memory; remembrance.
Precious is the memorial of the just.
Monument
An important site that is marked and preserved as public property
Memorial
A species of informal state paper, much used in negotiation.
Monument
A burial vault (usually for some famous person)
Memorial
A recognition of meritorious service
Monument
Monument is a public structure honoring an event.
The monument commemorates the end of the war.
Memorial
A written statement of facts submitted in conjunction with a petition to an authority
Memorial
A structure erected to commemorate persons or events
Common Curiosities
Is a Monument always a physical structure?
Usually, yes, a monument is a physical structure.
Is a Monument more permanent than a Memorial?
Generally, yes, monuments are designed to be more permanent.
Can a Memorial be a ceremony?
Yes, a memorial can be a ceremony or an event.
What are Monuments usually made of?
Monuments are often made of durable materials like stone or metal.
Can Memorials be private?
Yes, memorials can be either public or private.
Can a Memorial be temporary?
Yes, memorials can be temporary or permanent.
Can a Memorial be digital?
Yes, a memorial can exist in digital form, like a website.
Can a Memorial be non-physical?
Yes, memorials can be non-physical, like ceremonies.
Do Memorials always focus on the act of remembrance?
Yes, the primary focus of memorials is remembrance.
Is Monument a noun?
Yes, monument is a noun.
Is Memorial a noun?
Yes, memorial is a noun.
Can Monuments be private?
Monuments are generally public, but private ones can exist.
Is the purpose of a Monument to evoke respect?
Generally, yes, monuments aim to evoke respect and remembrance.
Are Monuments and Memorials interchangeable terms?
While similar in purpose, they are not entirely interchangeable due to differences in physicality and permanence.
Do Monuments always commemorate historical events?
Most often, but they can also commemorate people or concepts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
