memorandum
Americannoun
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memorandums,
plural
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memoranda
plural
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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:
The investigation’s report is confidential, but a UNC memorandum in response to a public records lawsuit shows the scope of the accusations against SCiLL.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026
The Pentagon signed the initial memorandum of understanding giving military assistance to the Peshmerga in 2016 and renewed it in 2022.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
Mediators said they have been trying to persuade Iran to ease its demands, warning the U.S. would otherwise move away from the memorandum of understanding.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
But since the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June, a detente appeared to take shape.
From Barron's ● Aug. 20, 2026
This memorandum would create talking points for any future discussion.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
In 2023, Kuwait signed seven memoranda of understanding with China on projects including the Mubarak al-Kabeer Port, as well as housing, water treatment and renewable energy.
From Barron's ● Dec. 23, 2025
He said Nepal has signed agreements or memoranda of understanding with China, India and Bangladesh for power trade or cooperation.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 28, 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
"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
Hamilton had nearly perfect pitch for Washington’s language, having begun his public career drafting letters and memoranda for Washington’s signature as a staff officer during the war.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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
President Donald Trump 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 ● Oct. 8, 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
But form the plurals of others simply by adding s: curriculums; formulas; memorandums; stadiums.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
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.
