aide-mémoire
Americannoun
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aide-mémoire
plural
noun
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a note serving as a reminder
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a summarized diplomatic communication
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of aide-mémoire
1840–50; < French: literally, (that which) aids (the) memory
Explanation
In political science and international relations, an aide-memoire is an unofficial written summary of some agreement, proposal, or action. One country may send an aide-memoire to another during peacemaking negotiations. Because it's an aide-memoire and not an official document, neither country is expected to be held to any agreements listed in it — it's more of an informal proposal. Groups like the World Trade Organization and the United Nations often use aide-memoirs in their interactions. Aide-memoire comes from the French words aider, "to help," and mémoire, "memory."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The diary reads as if it was intended to be an aide-mémoire for an autobiography Dr. Fauci might write one day, so it pays to read with care.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
How the toy-to-boy communication takes place, however, remains unclear for quite a while, because Malone refuses to part with his aide-mémoire.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 8, 2021
It can seem sadly fitting that Johnson carries around a résumé as her central aide-mémoire.
From The New Yorker ● Mar. 23, 2015
My camera roll is an aide-mémoire, in the old-fashioned sense, a way of collecting souvenirs, which, like any trinket, might be meaningful only to me.
From New York Times ● Apr. 9, 2014
With 11 of the 12 Sports Personality of the Year nominations going to Olympic and Paralympic athletes, here is the final part of our guide, as an aide-mémoire for when voting begins on Sunday evening.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 15, 2012
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