Memorial \Me*mo"ri*al\, a. [F. m['e]morial, L. memorialis, fr. memoria. See Memory.]

1. 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. --Pope.

2. Contained in memory; as, a memorial possession.

3. Mnemonic; assisting the memory.

This succession of Aspirate, Soft, and Hard, may be expressed by the memorial word ASH. --Skeat.

Memorial Day. Same as Decoration Day. [U.S.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Memorial \Me*mo"ri*al\, n. [Cf. F. m['e]morial.]

1. Anything intended to preserve the memory of a person or event; something which serves to keep something else in remembrance; a monument. --Macaulay.

Churches have names; some as memorials of peace, some of wisdom, some in memory of the Trinity itself. --Hooker.

2. A memorandum; a record. [Obs. or R.]

--Hayward.

3. 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.

4. Memory; remembrance. [Obs.]

Precious is the memorial of the just. --Evelyn.

5. (Diplomacy) A species of informal state paper, much used in negotiation.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)