Memphis

¹ American  

[mem-fis] / ˈmɛm fɪs /

noun

1. a port in SW Tennessee, on the Mississippi.

2. a ruined city in Lower Egypt, on the Nile, S of Cairo: the ancient capital of Egypt.

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Memphis ² American  

[mem-fis] / ˈmɛm fɪs /

noun

1. a group of international designers and architects, formed in the 1980s and based in Milan, whose work is characterized by the use of bold colors, geometric shapes, and unconventional, often playful, designs.

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adjective

1. of or relating to this group or its style of design.

Memphis British  

/ ˈmɛmfɪs /

noun

1. a port in SW Tennessee, on the Mississippi River: the largest city in the state; a major cotton and timber market; Memphis State University (1909). Pop: 645 978 (2003 est)

2. a ruined city in N Egypt, the ancient centre of Lower Egypt, on the Nile: administrative and artistic centre, sacred to the worship of Ptah

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Memphis Cultural  

1. Largest city in Tennessee; located on the Mississippi River.

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Etymology

Origin of Memphis

The name was allegedly suggested to Ettore Sottsass, one of the group's founders, by the Bob Dylan song “Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again” on the evening of December 11, 1980

Example Sentences

In Memphis, xAI had said it would build a water recycling plant that can reuse wastewater, instead of relying on the region’s aquifer, which provides drinking water for residents.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

The company is building two other data centers in the Memphis area, with the whole operation costing tens of billions of dollars.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

The NBA played two regular-season games in Europe this season, with the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic facing off in Berlin and London.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke has died at the age of 29, the NBA team has confirmed.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

After journeying to Memphis and Boston, I went to Washington to address a joint session of Congress and attend a private meeting with President Bush.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela