memorandum
Americannoun
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a short note designating something to be remembered, especially something to be done or acted upon in the future; reminder.
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a record or written statement of something.
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an informal message, especially one sent between two or more employees of the same company, concerning company business.
an interoffice memorandum.
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Law. a writing, usually informal, containing the terms of a transaction.
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Diplomacy. a summary of the state of an issue, the reasons for a decision agreed on, etc.
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a document transferring title to goods but authorizing the return of the goods to the seller at the option of the buyer.
noun
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a written statement, record, or communication such as within an office
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a note of things to be remembered
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an informal diplomatic communication, often unsigned: often summarizing the point of view of a government
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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
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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.
Vocabulary lists containing memorandum
Total Recall: Mem
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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
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Murder on the Orient Express
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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.
See Examples For:
Tehran had demanded the ceasefire in Lebanon in order to conclude a memorandum of understanding with Washington on June 17.
From Barron's ● Jul. 14, 2026
The memorandum of understanding, which both Americans and Iranians claimed as a victory for their side, was intentionally vague, leaving much up to later negotiation.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Markets treated that memorandum of understanding as the end to the war, but it was actually a short-lived interlude “in an ongoing war,” analysts at Piper Sandler said in a note.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
Didn’t Mr. Vance herald peace in our time after negotiating the memorandum of understanding with Iran last month?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
As he spoke he took from his pocket-book the memorandum which had been in Lucy’s breast, and which she had torn in her sleep.
From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
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
Iran’s leader specifically mentioned Africa’s mineral resources and Iran’s petrochemical experience, but the five memoranda of understanding signed on Wednesday by the Islamic Republic and Kenya appeared not to address either one.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 11, 2023
“It takes brains not to make money,” Colonel Cargill wrote in one of the homiletic memoranda he regularly prepared for circulation over General Peckem’s signature.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
Carney’s office said Thursday that the two sides had signed memorandums of understanding covering energy, combating crime and other issues, providing “the foundation for a new strategic partnership.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026
Deals and memorandums have been signed in shipbuilding, training of Indian seafarers to operate in polar waters, investments in new shipping lanes, civil nuclear energy, visa-free travel and critical minerals.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2025
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
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
There was file after file of saved correspondence, memorandums and official announcements.
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
