memorandum
Americannoun
plural
memorandums, memoranda-
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
- 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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The U.S. and U.K. separately signed a memorandum of understanding to advance the development of quantum computing in September 2025.
From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026
MDA also signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s Hanwha Systems to develop a low-Earth orbit defense constellation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026
A confidential memorandum listing the Bowl for sale indicates the owners intend to do exactly that.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026
Brown told the BBC last week that he had "submitted a five-page memorandum to the Metropolitan, Surrey, Sussex Thames Valley and other relevant UK police constabularies".
From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026
“Perhaps you will sign this memorandum to that effect, then.”
From "Murder on the Orient Express" by Agatha Christie
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.
