Word
Definitions
01business note
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Formal
n. a written message used in an office to share information with other people in the same company.
n. a written business communication, often abbreviated as 'memo', used to disseminate information or instructions within an organisation.
“The manager sent a memorandum to all staff explaining the new holiday policy.”
“The internal memorandum detailed the proposed restructuring of the department and invited feedback from senior stakeholders.”
Usage
Often shortened to 'memo' in everyday office speech; the full form is reserved for formal documents.
Teaching tip
Learners should use 'memo' for casual office talk and 'memorandum' for formal reports or legal contexts.
02legal/diplomatic record
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal · Technical
n. a formal document that records an agreement or explains a legal point.
n. a formal document recording the terms of a contract or a diplomatic communication between states.
“The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on climate change.”
“The legal team drafted a memorandum of law to support their argument before the high court.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the fixed phrase 'memorandum of understanding' (MoU).
Teaching tip
This is a high-level term frequently found in international relations and contract law.
03a reminder
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary · Formal
n. a short note you write to help you remember something later.
n. a brief note or record intended to serve as a reminder for future use.
“He scribbled a quick memorandum in his diary about the upcoming deadline.”
“The historian discovered a private memorandum in the archives that revealed the minister's true intentions.”
Teaching tip
In modern English, 'note' or 'reminder' is much more common for personal use; this sense feels quite old-fashioned or academic.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “memorandum” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Violence has decreased since a United States-Iran memorandum of understanding in June and a subsequent US-sponsored framework agreement between Lebanon and Israel, but Israeli attacks and demolitions have continued in the south.” “Araghchi blamed the US for the return to violence following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Pakistan in June, and said a new path out of the conflict must be defined.” Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin memorandum, neuter of memorandus (“to be remembered”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/memorandum
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0