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

Another memo described an April 7, 2023, FBI interview during which investigators showed Wiles four pages of communications records. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Hill alleged school board members tried to extort her into resigning in a memo sent to the board ahead of her firing. — Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2026

According to a company source, Zaslav wanted to share his goodbye message as a video rather than a text memo in order to capture the visuals. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

In 2024, Batavia and Aurora staff met, per the memo, and Aurora staff provided a drawing showing a reconfiguration of the intersection of Wagner and Mesa that would provide limited access once Mesa Drive was extended to the west. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 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