meme

American  

[meem] / mim /

noun

1. 1. a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition and replication in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes.

   2. a cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that is spread via the internet and often altered in a creative or humorous way.

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verb (used without object)

memed, memeing, meming

1. to create and spread memes.

   He spends a lot of time memeing and sharing his videos with friends.

verb (used with object)

memed, memeing, meming

1. to make the subject of a meme.

   cute cats that get memed.

meme British  

/ miːm /

noun

1. an idea or element of social behaviour passed on through generations in a culture, esp by imitation

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Etymology

Origin of meme

First recorded in 1976; coined by British evolutionary biologist C. Richard Dawkins (born 1941), shortening of Dawkins's original creation mimeme, which was based on Greek mī́mēma “imitation, copy; artistic representation,” but which Dawkins also wanted to look and sound like gene; mimesis ( def. )

Example Sentences

A cat meme helped him crack the case.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Lifelike meme videos have also been used to depict fictional Iranian military victories and even the strategic Strait of Hormuz reimagined as a cartoonish toll booth.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

One of her most iconic facial expressions in the film is already circulating as a reaction meme online.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

"I feel like, for most of my generation, the 'Chuck Norris doesn't x' meme format was really about all we knew about him," said Sam Smith, 25.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

You can’t tell someone a secret in homeroom and not expect that it won’t be an internet meme by lunchtime.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz