What does memorandums mean?
Memorandums are short written records used to communicate information, instructions, or official business. They may be internal workplace documents, formal communications between organizations, or brief notes that record a decision or request. The word often suggests a more official or consequential purpose than an ordinary note, although the two terms overlap. In legal and diplomatic contexts, memorandums can document an agreement, exchange views, or establish an understanding between parties. “Memo” is the usual informal abbreviation. Both “memorandums” and “memoranda” are accepted plurals, with “memoranda” retaining a formal, Latinate character and “memorandums” being especially common in contemporary American usage. Memorandums are also commonly shortened in business writing because the full form can sound more official than the document’s brevity warrants.
noun (plural)Memorandums are brief written notes, records, or official communications that communicate information, instructions, or agreements.
- Brief written notes, records, or official communications used to convey information, instructions, or agreements.
"The directors circulated several memorandums before the final meeting."
"Staff received two memorandums concerning the revised holiday policy."
"The exchange of memorandums helped the two departments coordinate their work."
Both plural forms are standard. Memoranda is especially common in formal, legal, and diplomatic writing, while memorandums is common in general and American usage.
"The agencies signed two memorandums concerning data protection."
The word comes from Latin for “something to be remembered,” though today’s memorandums are often the things people hope everyone will remember.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does memorandums come from?
The word descends from Latin memorandum, meaning “something to be remembered,” which was formed from memor, “remember,” with a suffix expressing an action or thing to be done. It entered English in the late Middle Ages and gradually developed the sense of a written note or record. Its Latin plural memoranda remains common, especially in formal writing, while memorandums reflects the regular English plural ending.
Related word forms
How memorandums is actually used
Memorandum has the plural forms memoranda and memorandums. Memoranda is traditional and common in formal, diplomatic, and legal writing; memorandums is also standard and is especially common in American English.
Easily confused with memorandums
Memorandum is the singular form, whereas memorandums is its plural.
Memoranda is the traditional plural of memorandum and is widely used in formal and legal contexts, while memorandums is also accepted, especially in American English.