memorandum

American  

[mem-uh-ran-duhm] / ˌmɛm əˈræn dəm /

noun

memorandums, plural memoranda plural

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

Derived Forms

• prememorandum
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• memoranda
  plural
• memorandums
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

memorandum memoranda memorandums

And Iran accused the U.S. of repeatedly violating the April ceasefire and the memorandum of understanding signed in June.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding meant to halt the ongoing hostilities last month.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

No document has been more examined than the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, down to the placement of commas, as if the terms meant anything to those jockeying over it.

From The Wall Street Journal ● 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

In a memo to FDR, Byrnes had urged that an outside panel of eminent scientists give the program a once-over—“rather a jittery and nervous memorandum and rather silly,” Stimson recalled.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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

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

The concept proved attractive, with the company claiming to have orders and memoranda of understanding for 780 jets from around the world.

From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2024

Hungarian and Chinese officials concluded a strategic partnership agreement and signed 18 other agreements and memoranda of understanding, but no major investments were announced at the news briefing.

From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2024

“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

In early May, some smaller companies—including Hunt Oil, Crossover Energy, HKN Energy and Mercuria Energy Group—signed memorandums of understanding to explore new drilling and trading opportunities.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 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

Other analysts note that a lot of the agreements signed during the trip were non-binding memorandums of understanding, which are less formal than contracts, and do not always translate into actual transactions.

From BBC ● May 20, 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

It was not true that he wrote memorandums praising himself and recommending that his authority be enhanced to include all combat operations; he wrote memoranda.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Related Words

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