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.

Synonyms

• directive
• memo
• notice

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

Court papers detail how ‘tension grew’ after adoption In a sentencing memorandum submitted on Pence’s behalf, Schillinger described how Pence and his wife met the New York couple several years ago in an online group for parents. —Julia Marnin, Sacramento Bee, 8 Apr. 2024

In February, Biden issued a national security memorandum that expanded upon those rules, adding an annual report to Congress about whether recipients of U.S. arms are meeting the standards. —Cate Brown, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

The judge returned to the bench after allowing the media to read through his memorandum. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024

This week, the White House officially tasked NASA with establishing a time standard for the moon, called Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) in the Office of the President’s memorandum, which international bodies can use to coordinate their activities on the lunar surface. —Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024

The memorandum of understanding, which was signed by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and British Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan on Tuesday, follows on from commitments the two countries made at last November’s AI Safety Summit in Britain. —Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024

After the verdict, she was remanded to the U.S. Marshals Service, which assigned her to the custody of the Livingston County Jail, according to the defense's sentencing memorandum. —Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 18 Mar. 2024

Despite all the leverage plays and internal disputes, the conferences took a major step Friday with the memorandum of understanding, which is expected to lead to a six-year media deal with ESPN that will generate $1.3 billion annually. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024

An offering memorandum for the building shows that the agreement lasts for nearly another two hundred years, until the year 2194. —Rukmini Callimachi, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to be remembered, from Latin, neuter of memorandus, gerundive of memorare

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

4

: memorandum decision