memorandum
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a written message used in an office to share information with other people in the same company.
a written business communication, often abbreviated as 'memo', used to disseminate information or instructions within an organisation.
Simple“The manager sent a memorandum to all staff explaining the new holiday policy.”
In context“The internal memorandum detailed the proposed restructuring of the department and invited feedback from senior stakeholders.”
UsageOften shortened to 'memo' in everyday office speech; the full form is reserved for formal documents.
Teacher's tipLearners should use 'memo' for casual office talk and 'memorandum' for formal reports or legal contexts.
- 02 C1 Advanced
a formal document that records an agreement or explains a legal point.
a formal document recording the terms of a contract or a diplomatic communication between states.
Simple“The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on climate change.”
In context“The legal team drafted a memorandum of law to support their argument before the high court.”
UsageCommonly appears in the fixed phrase 'memorandum of understanding' (MoU).
Teacher's tipThis is a high-level term frequently found in international relations and contract law.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a short note you write to help you remember something later.
a brief note or record intended to serve as a reminder for future use.
Simple“He scribbled a quick memorandum in his diary about the upcoming deadline.”
In context“The historian discovered a private memorandum in the archives that revealed the minister's true intentions.”
Teacher's tipIn modern English, 'note' or 'reminder' is much more common for personal use; this sense feels quite old-fashioned or academic.
Usage memorandum of understanding
“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.”
Learned borrowing from Latin memorandum, neuter of memorandus (“to be remembered”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.