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 of memorandum

• notice
• memo
• letter
• declaration
• directive
• message
• announcement

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

The Portage Redevelopment Commission signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday with the Northwest Indiana Steel Heritage Project as the first step toward negotiating a lease for the open-air pavilion on the city’s far north side. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

Mayor Daniel Lurie said the memorandum of understanding, signed in Seoul, will promote exhibitions, research, and public programming while strengthening ties between San Francisco and South Korea. —Bay City News Service, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026

As the justices’ memoranda illustrate, West Virginia, North Dakota and several energy companies sued the Obama administration over its Clean Power Plan and sought to block the new, transformative regulation from going into effect. —Wayne Unger, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026

Mangrove has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Élévra to source spodumene feedstock from the North American Lithium mine in Quebec. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for memorandum

• fandom
• random
• tandem
• nonrandom

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