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

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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

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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

Delaying the contract, Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez said, would give the public and city leaders more time to review the safeguards and policies written into the LAPD’s proposed memorandum of understanding with Axon.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Senior Buddhist leaders, the Mahanayake Theros of the Ramanna Nikaya and the Amarapura Maha Nikaya, together with Hindu religious leaders, handed over a memorandum to the Presidential Secretariat calling for urgent state intervention.

From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2026

Pacific Fusion has signed a technical collaboration memorandum of understanding with the National Nuclear Security Administration.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

Pacific Fusion, backed by around $1 billion from venture capitalists, is the first private nuclear-fusion company to have a memorandum of understanding with the NNSA.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

This memorandum would create talking points for any future discussion.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Anyway all the flirtations and memoranda came to nothing, as foreseen in these pages and elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

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

“Is that what did it? My memoranda? Is that what made them put Scheisskopf in charge? Why didn’t they put me in charge?”

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

Among them are memorandums of understanding with the Federal Trade Commission, giving prosecutors access to consumer-complaint data relevant to telemarketing and telemedicine scams.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

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

Talks about memorandums and a "possible future" of peace hardly seems the kind of solid ground on which lasting deals can be quickly built.

From BBC ● May 19, 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

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Related Words

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

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