memorandum

American  

[mem-uh-ran-duhm] / ˌmɛm əˈræn dəm /

noun

plural

memorandums, memoranda

1. a short note designating something to be remembered, especially something to be done or acted upon in the future; reminder.

2. a record or written statement of something.

3. an informal message, especially one sent between two or more employees of the same company, concerning company business.

   an interoffice memorandum.

4. Law. a writing, usually informal, containing the terms of a transaction.

5. Diplomacy. a summary of the state of an issue, the reasons for a decision agreed on, etc.

6. a document transferring title to goods but authorizing the return of the goods to the seller at the option of the buyer.

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memorandum British  

/ ˌmɛməˈrændəm /

noun

1. a written statement, record, or communication such as within an office

2. a note of things to be remembered

3. an informal diplomatic communication, often unsigned: often summarizing the point of view of a government

4. law a short written summary of the terms of a transaction

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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

• prememorandum noun

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

Example Sentences

In a sentencing memorandum, they wrote that Sun moved to the U.S. from China in 1996 and became a part of the Chinese community in the San Gabriel Valley.

From Los Angeles Times

Chevron has a sizable position in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale play and recently signed a memorandum of understanding to explore in Libya, which holds shale resources.

From The Wall Street Journal

Japan and the EU will conclude a memorandum of understanding within 30 days on how they can jointly support projects in mining, refining, processing and recycling, the governments said in a joint statement.

From The Wall Street Journal

While the two parties have a memorandum of understanding to build at least 10 gigawatts of computing power, that is set to take years.

From Barron's

Federal prosecutors had argued in a sentencing memorandum for Gálvez to serve a longer sentence — more than seven years — because of the seriousness of his offenses.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• announcement
• diary
• directive
• letter
• memo
• message
• notice