What does memoranda mean?
Memoranda is the plural of memorandum, a formal word for a written note, report, or communication. In modern organizations, memoranda may announce a policy, circulate information, record an agreement, or provide instructions. The plural is often used with words such as issue, circulate, prepare, and distribute, reflecting the documents’ role as part of an official paper trail. The word has a formal, professional tone, whereas memos is the more familiar everyday alternative. Memoranda can also mean personal written records kept for reference, although this use is less common than the organizational sense. The term derives from Latin memorandum, meaning “something to be remembered,” and ultimately from memoria, “memory.” It is useful because it gives a precise label to the many brief written communications that guide institutions and preserve information.
nounPlural form of memorandum: written notes, reports, or memoranda used to record information or communicate instructions, especially within an organization.
- Written notes or reports recording information, instructions, or official communications.
- Formal communications circulated within an organization, such as announcements, directives, or summaries.
"The committee circulated several memoranda summarizing the proposed changes."
"Several memoranda were distributed to staff before the policy took effect."
"The researcher kept memoranda of the interviews in a locked filing cabinet."
Memoranda is the usual plural of memorandum, though memos is the more informal everyday plural.
"Staff received memoranda about the office closure and revised schedule."
Memoranda are the paper trail of organizations: small written records that can preserve an important decision long after a meeting ends.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does memoranda come from?
Memoranda comes from the Latin plural of memorandum, meaning “something to be remembered.” Memorandum itself was borrowed into English as a written note or reminder, originally emphasizing its function as something retained for future reference. The modern administrative sense developed in the 19th century as organizations adopted memoranda for official internal communication. The Latin root memoria, meaning “memory,” also connects the word to memorial and memory.
Related word forms
How memoranda is actually used
The plural is especially common in formal and administrative contexts. In everyday speech, memos is more usual.
Easily confused with memoranda
Memorandum is the singular form, while memoranda is the usual plural form, especially in formal or institutional writing.
A memory is something retained or recalled by the mind, whereas a memorandum is a written record or communication.