memorandum

American  

[mem-uh-ran-duhm] / ˌmɛm əˈræn dəm /

noun

• memorandums,
  plural
• memoranda
  plural

1. a short note designating something to be remembered, especially something to be done or acted upon in the future; reminder.

2. a record or written statement of something.

3. an informal message, especially one sent between two or more employees of the same company, concerning company business.

   an interoffice memorandum.

4. Law. a writing, usually informal, containing the terms of a transaction.

5. Diplomacy. a summary of the state of an issue, the reasons for a decision agreed on, etc.

6. a document transferring title to goods but authorizing the return of the goods to the seller at the option of the buyer.

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memorandum British  

/ ˌmɛməˈrændəm /

noun

1. a written statement, record, or communication such as within an office

2. a note of things to be remembered

3. an informal diplomatic communication, often unsigned: often summarizing the point of view of a government

4. law a short written summary of the terms of a transaction

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Usage

Plural word for memorandum The plural form of memorandum can be either memoranda or memorandums. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -um are also formed this way, including curriculum/curricula and bacterium/bacteria. Irregular nouns whose plurals are formed like memoranda derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin. However, the standard English plural -s ending is often also acceptable for many of these terms, as in curriculums and forums.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• prememorandum
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• memoranda
  plural
• memorandums
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of memorandum

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin: something to be noted, noun use of neuter of memorandus, gerundive of memorāre to mention, tell

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Explanation

A memorandum is a written record, message, or reminder. If your boss sends out a memorandum that there'll be a special teamwork-building workshop on Friday morning, get ready to do trust falls. Memoranda (that's the plural) are often used in diplomacy, business, and law. Two countries might sign a memorandum of understanding that they will equally share use of the river that runs between them. A member of Congress might publish a memorandum criticizing the government’s education policies. You’re probably more familiar with the word's shortened form, memo, which means the same thing but is usually used in informal contexts, such as for messages within an office.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

memorandum memoranda memorandums

Delaying the contract, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez said, would give the public and city leaders more time to review the safeguards and policies written into the LAPD’s proposed memorandum of understanding with Axon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

They also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding outlining a planned agreement to conduct clinical trials combining ivonescimab with several of AstraZeneca’s cancer medicines in a range of clinical trials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Araghchi said the conditions to open the strait were the same that had been included in a memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran that was signed in June.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026

On Monday, French energy giant TotalEnergies signed a memorandum of understanding with Iraq on liquefied natural gas supplies and agreed to discuss further energy projects.

From Barron's ● Sep. 14, 2026

In January 1989, I was visited by my four comrades from Polls-moor and we discussed the memorandum I was planning to send to the state president.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Anyway all the flirtations and memoranda came to nothing, as foreseen in these pages and elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

The recent publication of confidential Supreme Court memoranda by The New York Times has brought to light a pivotal moment in the court’s history.

From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2026

Over the past year, they have signed contracts and memoranda of understanding to import gas from Turkey and Qatar to increase production.

From Barron's ● Jan. 30, 2026

"India Office bureaucrats collected press clippings and swapped memoranda regarding her personal and financial affairs in an effort to control Duleep Singh's actions as a politicised member of the Indian diaspora in Britain," Baker writes.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2023

And the prose in the memoranda of other officers was always turgid, stilted, or ambiguous.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

The companies in his delegation—including Hunt Oil, Repsol, Eni, Halliburton, Petroquímica de Venezuela and several trading firms—are expected to sign memorandums of understanding to lay the groundwork to operate in Venezuela.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026

President Donald Trump set the tone for his second term by issuing 26 executive orders, four proclamations and 12 memorandums on his first day back in office.

From Salon ● Oct. 8, 2025

Shortly after taking office, Hochman removed a number of Gascón’s closest allies from leadership posts in the district attorney’s office, according to transfer memorandums issued at the time.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2025

The bill was held up repeatedly due to a lack of firm costings attached to the project, with members demanding that fresh financial memorandums be drawn up.

From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2025

But form the plurals of others simply by adding s: curriculums; formulas; memorandums; stadiums.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

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Related Words

• announcement
• diary
• directive
• letter
• memo
• message
• notice

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