monument Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a structure erected to commemorate persons or events
    memorial.
  2. noun an important site that is marked and preserved as public property
  3. noun a burial vault (usually for some famous person)
    repository.

WordNet

Mon"u*ment noun
Etymology
F., fr. L. monumentum, fr. monere to remind, admonish. See Monition, and cf. Moniment.
Definitions
  1. Something which stands, or remains, to keep in remembrance what is past; a memorial.
    Of ancient British art A pleasing monument. Philips.
    Our bruised arms hung up for monuments. Shak.
  2. 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 monument Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites That appertain unto a burial. Shak.
  3. A stone or other permanent object, serving to indicate a limit or to mark a boundary.
  4. A saying, deed, or example, worthy of record.
    Acts and Monuments of these latter and perilous days. Foxe.
    Syn. -- Memorial; remembrance; tomb; cenotaph.

Webster 1913