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reminiscence

noun
rem·​i·​nis·​cence | \ ËŒre-mÉ™-ˈni-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce reminiscence (audio) \

Definition of reminiscence

1 : apprehension of a Platonic idea as if it had been known in a previous existence
2a : recall to mind of a long-forgotten experience or fact
b : the process or practice of thinking or telling about past experiences
3a : a remembered experience
b : an account of a memorable experience —often used in plural
4 : something so like another as to be regarded as an unconscious repetition, imitation, or survival
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about reminiscence

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Choose the Right Synonym for reminiscence

memory, remembrance, recollection, reminiscence mean the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered. memory applies both to the power of remembering and to what is remembered. gifted with a remarkable memory that incident was now just a distant memory remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered. any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort. after a moment's recollection he produced the name reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past. my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood

Examples of reminiscence in a Sentence

his reminiscences about the war were painful to hear we wondered whether she could trust her reminiscence of events that happened so long ago

Recent Examples on the Web

 Tales of backstage debauchery are a reader’s reward for slogging through endless reminiscences about a singer’s childhood pets or their parents’ divorce. — Allison Stewart, Washington Post, "Rock-musician memoirs have a distancing effect, but Ben Folds is as relatable as ever," 31 July 2019 As his reminiscences of Senate business in the sepia-toned (but decidedly white) past tripped up his early campaign efforts, Biden has tried, gingerly to grudgingly, to walk his comments back. — Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, The New Republic, "The Destructive Politics of White Amnesia," 6 Aug. 2019 Research shows reminiscence therapy can be beneficial in improving mood and lessening agitation among patients, said George Hennawi, medical director of geriatric services for MedStar Health. — Hallie Miller, baltimoresun.com, "New Perry Hall facility to provide alternative care for seniors with nostalgic flair," 17 July 2019 The same fumes that tinge my childhood reminiscences have been poisoning us and our earth all the while. — Tony Rehagen, BostonGlobe.com, "Farewell to hot dog rollers and roadside chats: an elegy for the American gas station," 11 July 2019 What most of these back-in-the-day remembrances and fond reminiscences gloss over, though, is the sillier side of what is also known, for better or worse, known as the '90s. — Corey Seymour, Vogue, "Ray Gun—The Magazine That Defined the Alt-'90s—Lives Again," 23 May 2019 Greene’s debut is reminiscence of Brock Deatherage, who hit three home runs in his minor league debut on June 18, 2018. — Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Tigers top draft pick Riley Greene hits 2 homers, double in pro debut," 24 June 2019 See her reminiscences in Old Jules and her beautiful novels. — David Mamet, National Review, "Great Writing by Women," 20 June 2019 These new interviews feature reminiscences by people central to the scene, such as David Crosby and Stephen Stills. — Pat Padua, Twin Cities, "Today’s folkies salute their elders in a flawed documentary ‘Echo in the Canyon’," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reminiscence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of reminiscence

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for reminiscence

reminiscence

noun
How to pronounce reminiscence (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of reminiscence

formal
: a story that someone tells about something that happened in the past
: the act of remembering or telling about past experiences

See the full definition for reminiscence in the English Language Learners Dictionary

reminiscence

noun
rem·​i·​nis·​cence | \ ËŒre-mÉ™-ˈni-sᵊns How to pronounce reminiscence (audio) \

Kids Definition of reminiscence

1 : the act of recalling or telling of a past experience
2 reminiscences plural : a story of a person's memorable experiences

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More from Merriam-Webster on reminiscence

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for reminiscence

Spanish Central: Translation of reminiscence

Nglish: Translation of reminiscence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of reminiscence for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reminiscence

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