A commemorative monument or simply monument[1]​[2]​ is a place or object whose function is to preserve the memory of an event, a person or a group of people, usually already deceased. Sometimes the false friend 'memorial' from English memorial is used, but this use is discouraged[1]​ and it is advisable to use 'monument' instead.

Among the different forms of memorials are the most visual elements of the urban landscape or different types of monument (statues, crosses or fountains "Fountain (architecture)")); and even entire memorial parks, such as those preserving ancient battlefields. The most common and simplest types of monuments are tombstones or commemorative plaques, including those that name streets, whether or not they are related to a significant place for the person or event remembered.

In the architectural design processes of this type of mnemonic objects, faculties such as the exercise of memory and the application of memory are denoted, which through reasoning allows us to appropriate the design object. This relationship is important since design as a way in which we know the world is "a process of cohesion of memories that in reality are a whole proposal of memories that end up being a scheme of personal and other people's evocations, whose requirement is to convince of their appropriability, always in congruence and equivalence with the admissibility of the user. Because it is one where memories must be remembered by the user, who never really had them and, if they are going to identify with the object, this is the way to appropriate it. Otherwise there will be no identification process with the design object."[3]​.

War memorials commemorating their victims are also common.