memo

noun

ˈme-(ˌ)mō 

plural memos

: a usually brief written message or report : memorandum

Use headlines, bullets, and lists to organize the memo and the proposal.

—Inc. Magazine

When your boss asks you to find a memo you wrote a year ago, it's hard to remember what you named it.

—Susan Kelley

see also:

get the memo

Synonyms of memo

• letter
• epistle

Examples of memo in a Sentence

He sent a memo to the staff.

a long series of memos between the two authors collaborating on the book

Recent Examples on the Web

In May 2025, TSA and ICE agreed to boost information sharing between the two agencies, according to a memo disclosed this week by the group American Oversight. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Ameaka's arrest comes days after ABC News obtained a memo detailing federal immigration authorities' new efforts to ramp up arrests at airports of people who have allegedly overstayed their visas. — Armando Garcia, ABC News, 31 July 2026

This month, a gay rights activist obtained the memo outlining the agreement from the Defense Department after filing a lawsuit, arguing that clarity was of public importance. — Jamie Stengle, Fortune, 31 July 2026

The memo was sent to the entire volunteer corps at the center as its future remains uncertain. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing memo

• counter-memo
• get the memo

Rhymes for memo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

Kids Definition

memo

noun

ˈmem-ō 

plural memos

: memorandum