meme

[meem]

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.

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

/ miːm /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of meme¹

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. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of meme¹

C20: possibly from _mimic , on the model of _gene

Example Sentences

The same way overflowing cheeseboards dominated foodie feeds a few years ago, the act of turning your home kitchen into a “cafe” is the latest in cuisine you can meme.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"People were making memes, like turning it into a game show joke. It's absurd."

Read more on BBC

However, he has scorned the description of Opendoor as a meme stock, describing it instead as a “cult stock.”

Read more on MarketWatch

With the arrival of Culkin and Charton’s third child, it’s clear that the “Succession” legacy now extends past powerhouse performances, viral memes and memorable lines.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Beyond the AI world, cryptos, meme stocks, and even cruise lines fell sharply.

Read more on Barron's