monument
gb/mˈɑnjumənt/ us/mˈɑnjumənt/
B1
English
~ 5200
emlékmű, műemlék, maradandó bizonyíték, mementó, síremlék, sírkő, okirat, hivatalos irat, írásos emlék
NOUN
B1
1
emlékmű
B1
Usage pattern:
a monument to [someone/something]
The city built a monument to honor the firefighters who died in the blaze.
A város emlékművet állított a tűzvészben életüket vesztett tűzoltók tiszteletére.
Tourists lined up to take photos in front of the monument in the main square.
A turisták sorban álltak, hogy fotózkodhassanak a főtéren álló emlékmű előtt.
A simple stone monument marks the place where the peace treaty was signed.
They unveiled a new monument to the victims of the war.
The bronze monument of the writer stands outside the national library.
Learner examples
We visited a big monument in the capital city.
Megnéztünk egy nagy emlékművet a fővárosban.
The town has a monument to its first mayor.
A városban emlékmű áll az első polgármester emlékére.
People put flowers at the monument every year.
The monument shows a soldier holding a flag.
They are raising money to build a new monument.
Common mistake:
Learners often think a monument is only a statue of a person. In fact, it can also be a tower, building, arch, or other large structure made to remember someone or something. Some also confuse 'monument' with 'moment'; these are unrelated words.
Meaning
large commemorative structure or statue
Collocations
war monument
|national monument
|erect a monument
|visit a monument
|monument to freedom
|historic monument
Synonyms
memorial (Often focuses more on the act of remembering than on the size or impressiveness of the structure.)
|
statue (Refers specifically to a carved figure of a person or animal, while a monument can have many forms.)
Antonyms
demolition (Demolition is the act of tearing buildings down, which is the opposite idea of building something to preserve memory.)
Themes
history
|culture
|public life
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A large thing like a statue or building that people make to remember and honor a person or event.
A large structure, such as a statue, column, or building, built to honor or remember a person, group, or important event.
NOUN
B2
2
műemlék
B1
Usage pattern:
a/an [adjective] monument
Many of the city’s oldest monuments are now protected by law.
Mára a város legrégebbi műemlékei közül sok törvényi védelem alatt áll.
The government designated the temple as a national monument in 1975.
A kormány 1975-ben nemzeti műemlékké nyilvánította a templomot.
The guide explained that the monument dates back to the Roman period.
This small town is famous for its medieval monuments and narrow streets.
Developers are not allowed to change the exterior of the monument without permission.
Learner examples
We visited several old monuments on our trip.
Utazásunk során több régi műemléket is megnéztünk.
The castle is an important historical monument.
A vár fontos történelmi műemlék.
This church is a protected monument in our country.
Tourists come to see the ancient monuments in this area.
They want to keep the monument in good condition for future generations.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'monument' only for things that honor people (like statues) and not for old buildings or sites. In tourism and history, 'monument' often means any important old building or place. Also, do not confuse 'monument' (thing) with 'monumental' (adjective meaning very large or very important).
Meaning
historically important building or site
Collocations
ancient monument
|historical monument
|protected monument
|cultural monument
|religious monument
|UNESCO-listed monument
Synonyms
landmark (Can be any easily recognized feature; it may be famous or important but is not always officially protected as a monument.)
|
heritage site (Emphasizes official recognition and protection, especially by organizations like UNESCO.)
Antonyms
modern building (A recently built structure that typically lacks historical or heritage value.)
Themes
history
|tourism
|architecture
|travel
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A building or place that is kept safe because it is very old or important in history, culture, or art.
A building, structure, or site that is preserved and often legally protected because of its historical, cultural, or artistic importance.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a monument to [abstract noun]
The half-empty shopping mall has become a monument to poor urban planning.
A félig üres bevásárlóközpont a rossz várostervezés mementójává vált.
Her lifelong work with refugees stands as a monument to compassion and courage.
A menekültekért élete során végzett munkája az együttérzés és a bátorság maradandó bizonyítéka.
The deserted stadium is a sad monument to the country’s former glory.
This bridge is a monument to nineteenth-century engineering skill.
The project turned into a monument to wasted time and money.
Learner examples
The old factory is a monument to the city’s industrial past.
A régi gyár a város ipari múltjának emlékműve.
This book is a monument to her hard work.
Ez a könyv maradandó bizonyítéka annak, milyen keményen dolgozott.
The broken project is a monument to bad planning.
His success is a monument to his strong will.
The empty park is a monument to their big plans that failed.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this use always describes something positive. In fact, a 'monument to' something can be positive or negative (for example, 'a monument to courage' or 'a monument to stupidity'). It is also often used for abstract ideas, not just people.
Meaning
lasting example or reminder
Collocations
a monument to failure
|a monument to her talent
|a monument to human stupidity
|a lasting monument
|a tragic monument
Synonyms
testament (Very similar figurative use, but often sounds a bit more formal and abstract.)
|
symbol (Focuses on representing an idea, not necessarily on lasting over a long period.)
Antonyms
oblivion (Oblivion is the state of being completely forgotten, which is the opposite of leaving a lasting reminder.)
Themes
evaluation
|metaphor
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that clearly shows a quality or result and will make people remember it for a long time.
Something that serves as a lasting example or reminder of a particular quality, achievement, or situation, often used figuratively.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
a/an [adjective] monument in the [cemetery/church]
The sculptor was commissioned to design a monument for the poet’s grave.
A szobrászt megbízták, hogy tervezzen síremléket a költő sírjára.
An ornate stone monument stands at the head of the family plot.
Díszes kő síremlék áll a családi sírhely fejénél.
Inside the cathedral, several marble monuments honor past kings.
The monument in the churchyard has weathered badly over the centuries.
They restored the old monument to make the inscription readable again.
Learner examples
A large stone monument stands over his grave.
A sírja fölött nagy kő síremlék áll.
The family bought a new monument for the cemetery.
A család új síremléket vásárolt a temetőbe.
There are many old monuments inside the church.
The marble monument has her name and the year she died.
We cleaned the monument so we could read the words.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that in formal or historical writing, 'monument' can refer specifically to a burial structure or oversized gravestone, not just a public statue in a square.
Meaning
large tomb or gravestone
Collocations
funerary monument
|family monument
|marble monument
|church monument
|elaborate monument
Synonyms
tomb (A general word for a burial place; a monument is often more decorative or commemorative.)
|
gravestone (Usually smaller and simpler; a monument suggests something larger and more impressive.)
Antonyms
unmarked grave (An unmarked grave has no visible sign or structure, which contrasts with a large, visible monument.)
Themes
death
|religion
|architecture
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A big grave or stone that shows where a person is buried, often with special design or pictures.
A large tomb, gravestone, or structure, often with sculpture or detailed carving, that marks the place where someone is buried.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
a monument of [title/record]
The charter is an important monument of the kingdom’s constitutional history.
Az oklevél a királyság alkotmánytörténetének fontos írásos emléke.
Lawyers examined every monument of title before the land dispute went to court.
Az ügyvédek minden tulajdonjogot igazoló okiratot megvizsgáltak, mielőtt a földvita bíróságra került.
These manuscripts are valuable monuments of early property law.
Learner examples
The old paper is a legal monument that proves who owned the land.
A régi irat jogi okirat, amely bizonyítja, kié volt a föld.
Historians studied the monument of record to understand the law.
A történészek a fennmaradt hivatalos iratot tanulmányozták, hogy megértsék a törvényt.
This letter is a monument of their agreement in the past.
Common mistake:
Most learners are not aware of this rare legal meaning and should normally use 'document' or 'record' instead.
Meaning
document serving as official evidence
Collocations
ancient monument of record
|monument of title
|documentary monument
Synonyms
record (A more common word; 'monument' in this sense is technical and rare.)
|
document (General term; lacks the specific legal-historical flavor of 'monument' in this sense.)
Antonyms
oral testimony (Spoken evidence in contrast to a written documentary monument.)
Themes
law
|history
|communication
|education
Definition
In legal or very formal writing, a document that is used as official proof of something.
In law or historical writing, a written document or record that serves as official evidence of a fact, right, or title.
Grammar
Dictionary form
monument
IPA
GB/mˈɑnjumənt/
US/mˈɑnjumənt/
Syllables & stress
monu - ment (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (monu)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: monument
- Plural: monuments
Word family
Forms
monuments
noun
Core family
monumental
adjective
Related words
memorial
noun B1
Advanced or less common
monumentally
adverb
monumentality
noun
Expressions
a monument to [someone/something]
1/ə mˈɑnjumənt tə sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
structure or thing honoring someone/something
Used to say that a building, statue, or other thing clearly honors or shows the quality or result of a person, group, or idea.
Examples
- This statue is a monument to the workers who built the railroad.
- The empty factory is a monument to the city’s lost industrial power.
- The new museum will be a monument to modern art.
ancient monument
1/ˈeɪnʃənt mˈɑnjumənt/
fixed phrase
very old preserved site
A very old building or place that people keep because it is important for history or culture.
Examples
- The island is famous for its stone circles and other ancient monuments.
- Many ancient monuments in the region are still being studied by archaeologists.
- They walked among the ancient monuments, imagining life thousands of years ago.
historical monument
1/hɪstˈɔɹɪkəl mˈɑnjumənt/
fixed phrase
old building kept for history
An old building or structure that is kept and protected because it is important in history.
Examples
- The city has many historical monuments from the 18th century.
- You should visit the historical monuments while you are in the old town.
- The bridge is now listed as a historical monument.
national monument
1/nˈæʃnəl mˈɑnjumənt/
fixed phrase
government-protected important site
A place, building, or natural area that the national government protects because it is special or important.
Examples
- The canyon was declared a national monument in 1906.
- Many national monuments charge an entrance fee to help pay for maintenance.
- They are campaigning to have the battlefield recognized as a national monument.
war monument
1/wˈɔɹ mˈɑnjumənt/
fixed phrase
structure honoring people from a war
A statue or building made to remember and honor people who fought or died in a war.
Examples
- Every year, people lay wreaths at the war monument in the town square.
- The new war monument lists the names of all the soldiers from the region.
- They restored the old war monument after it was damaged in the storm.