memorandum
noun
mem·o·ran·dum
ˌme-mə-ˈran-dəm 
plural memorandums or memoranda
ˌme-mə-ˈran-də
1
: an informal record
also
: a written reminder
2
: an informal written record of an agreement that has not yet become official
3
a
: an informal diplomatic (see diplomatic sense 2) communication
b
: a usually brief communication written for interoffice circulation
The company president sent a memorandum to every employee.
c
: a communication that contains directive, advisory, or informative matter
The memorandum called particular attention to the plight of refugees.
memorandums or memoranda?: Usage Guide
Although some commentators warn against the use of memoranda as a singular and condemn the plural memorandas, our evidence indicates that these forms are rarely encountered in print. We have a little evidence of the confusion of forms, including use of memorandum as a plural, in speech (as at congressional hearings). As plurals memoranda and memorandums are about equally frequent.
Examples of memorandum in a Sentence
I'm waiting for the memorandum that will explain the new vacation policy.
the studio executives depend on endless memoranda to keep track of what's going on at a movie shot on location
Recent Examples on the Web
And that discovery ties to another provocative revelation in the agency’s memorandum.
—
Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
In Election | Opinion Moreover, Trump's February 13 presidential memorandum on reciprocal tariffs—outlining measures that could be announced in the first days of April—will substantially decrease China's access to the American market.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
This unprecedented stream of executive orders and memorandums is unsettling Washington households as people scramble to determine whether their jobs and livelihoods are safe.
—Emily Peck, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
The car that crashed into the family was speeding at more than 100 miles per hour on a street with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour, throwing their car back over 100 feet, according to the prosecution’s sentencing memorandum.
—Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for memorandum
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025
In Election | Opinion Moreover, Trump's February 13 presidential memorandum on reciprocal tariffs—outlining measures that could be announced in the first days of April—will substantially decrease China's access to the American market.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
This unprecedented stream of executive orders and memorandums is unsettling Washington households as people scramble to determine whether their jobs and livelihoods are safe.
—Emily Peck, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025
The car that crashed into the family was speeding at more than 100 miles per hour on a street with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour, throwing their car back over 100 feet, according to the prosecution’s sentencing memorandum.
—Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for memorandum
Cite this Entry
“Memorandum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorandum. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
memorandum
noun
mem·o·ran·dum
ˌmem-ə-ˈran-dəm
plural memorandums or memoranda
-də
1
: an informal record or communication
2
: a brief written reminder
Legal Definition
memorandum
noun
mem·o·ran·dum
ˌme-mə-ˈran-dəm
plural memorandums; plural memoranda
-də
1
: a usually informal written communication
2
: a record (as a note) which is used by a party seeking to enforce an otherwise oral agreement in accordance with the Statute of Frauds to prove that the other party agreed to a contract and which need not contain all the terms of the contract itself
3
: brief
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share