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.

---

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

---

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

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

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

Violence has significantly decreased since the signing of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding in June on the broader Middle East war and a US-sponsored framework deal between Lebanon and Israel later that month.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

Those conditions echo the terms of a so-called memorandum of understanding which was reached in June and collapsed as fighting resumed.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

Citing a growing threat posed by transnational criminal organizations, President Trump on Wednesday signed a memorandum that enlists the help of the private sector.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

“This memorandum expands the fight against TCO-perpetrated cybercrime by incorporating the ingenuity of the private sector,” the communication says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

In a memo to FDR, Byrnes had urged that an outside panel of eminent scientists give the program a once-over—“rather a jittery and nervous memorandum and rather silly,” Stimson recalled.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Nine other agreements and memoranda of understanding were finalised on Saturday, covering digital cooperation, health, entrepreneurship and other fields.

From Barron's ● Feb. 21, 2026

The concept proved attractive, with the company claiming to have orders and memoranda of understanding for 780 jets from around the world.

From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2024

Kissinger consistently reinforced Nixon's impulse to ignore the law, but also took precautions to cover his own backside by getting Haig to compile memoranda showing that Nixon knew about and approved the illegal transfers.

From Salon ● Dec. 10, 2023

Securities and Exchange Commission announced Friday it was dismissing roughly 40 pending enforcement cases after an internal review found enforcement staff had improper access to certain memoranda meant for commission officials ruling on those matters.

From Reuters ● Jun. 2, 2023

“Last evening about”—he thought for a minute—“ten o’clock, I should say. I went into his compartment to take down some memoranda from him.”

From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie

Among them are memorandums of understanding with the Federal Trade Commission, giving prosecutors access to consumer-complaint data relevant to telemarketing and telemedicine scams.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

He 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 ● Nov. 7, 2025

Some diplomats privately questioned the value of the various memorandums of understanding.

From BBC ● May 16, 2025

In their sentencing memorandums, prosecutors and Christina Sinha, a lawyer for Mr. Maynard, recommended a sentence of five years and three months.

From New York Times ● May 30, 2024

It was not true that he wrote memorandums praising himself and recommending that his authority be enhanced to include all combat operations; he wrote memoranda.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

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