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.
Synonyms
- directive
- memo
- notice
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 institutions plan to develop another memorandum to lower out-of-pocket expenses for non-credit courses. 
Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 2 Sep. 2022 Any missing information was made available to investors upon request and in a private investor memorandum. Rebecca Picciotto, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 But per a September 2014 memorandum to the rule, the runner may still be called out if he was clearly beaten by the throw. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 16 Aug. 2022 After the event, officials noted that the memorial itself — then 98 years old — had sustained scratches and gouges in its pink marble floor, according to a final memorandum. Jonathan O'connell, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022 Turkey signed a trilateral memorandum with Finland and Sweden supporting their NATO membership bids in late June. Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 12 Aug. 2022 Last week, The Intercept’s Ken Klippenstein and Jon Schwarz ferreted out a private memorandum from a Bank of America executive who rather bluntly stated that his hopes that conditions for American workers might get materially worse. Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 6 Aug. 2022 The federal charges carry a possible sentence of life in prison, but Greg McMichael’s lawyer filed a memorandum requesting leniency for the 66-year-old former law enforcement officer. Shaddi Abusaid, ajc, 5 Aug. 2022 Gillas’ attorney requested a sentence of five years’ probation in the defense’s sentencing memorandum, citing his lack of prior criminal history. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 30 July 2022 See More
Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 2 Sep. 2022 Any missing information was made available to investors upon request and in a private investor memorandum. Rebecca Picciotto, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 But per a September 2014 memorandum to the rule, the runner may still be called out if he was clearly beaten by the throw. Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 16 Aug. 2022 After the event, officials noted that the memorial itself — then 98 years old — had sustained scratches and gouges in its pink marble floor, according to a final memorandum. Jonathan O'connell, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022 Turkey signed a trilateral memorandum with Finland and Sweden supporting their NATO membership bids in late June. Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 12 Aug. 2022 Last week, The Intercept’s Ken Klippenstein and Jon Schwarz ferreted out a private memorandum from a Bank of America executive who rather bluntly stated that his hopes that conditions for American workers might get materially worse. Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 6 Aug. 2022 The federal charges carry a possible sentence of life in prison, but Greg McMichael’s lawyer filed a memorandum requesting leniency for the 66-year-old former law enforcement officer. Shaddi Abusaid, ajc, 5 Aug. 2022 Gillas’ attorney requested a sentence of five years’ probation in the defense’s sentencing memorandum, citing his lack of prior criminal history. Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, 30 July 2022 See More 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 ˌme-mə-ˈran-dəm
plural memorandums or memoranda
-də
1
: an informal report or message
2
: a 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
memorandums
noun
variants or memoranda
1
as in memos
a written communication giving information or directions I'm waiting for the memorandum that will explain the new vacation policy Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- memos
- announcements
- directives
- letters
- declarations
- messages
- notices
- words
- reports
- instructions
- bulletins
- proclamations
- pronouncements
- postings
- notifications
- rescripts
- dispatches
- epistles
- directions
- releases
- notes
- edicts
- mails
- missives
- jottings
- orders
- commands
- dictates
- encyclicals
- pronunciamentos
- pronunciamentoes
- posts
- charges
2
as in letters
a message on paper from one person or group to another the studio executives depend on endless memoranda to keep track of what's going on at a movie shot on location Synonyms & Similar Words
- letters
- memos
- communications
- notes
- cards
- epistles
- reports
- missives
- dispatches
- mails
- postcards
- open letters
- postal cards
- e-mails
- billets-doux
- electronic mails
- airmails
- junk mails
- encyclicals
3
as in notes
a usually brief written reminder dispatched a memorandum to her secretary about the assignment Synonyms & Similar Words
- memos
- notes
- reports
- writings
- notations
- documents
- jottings
- memoirs
- protocols
- minutes
- memorials
- bordereaux
- lines