Memo Meaning

UK /ˈmɛməʊ/
US /ˈmɛmoʊ/
Word Definition

Memo Definition & Usage

noun

A brief written message, often used for communication within an organization or group, especially for conveying quick or informal information.

Examples

  • "Please send me a memo outlining the project's status."
  • "I received a memo from HR about the new policy changes."
  • "He left a memo on my desk with the meeting details."
  • "The manager issued a memo to all employees regarding the upcoming changes."
  • "She quickly wrote a memo to inform everyone about the shift in the schedule."
verb

To write or send a brief message, usually within an organization or to a small group.

Examples

  • "I'll memo you the details after the meeting."
  • "Can you memo me the updates from the client?"
  • "The manager memos the team about any schedule changes."
  • "She decided to memo her colleagues about the project deadline."
  • "Before the meeting, I memoed all the team members regarding the agenda."

Cultural Context

The word 'memo' comes from the Latin 'memorandum', meaning 'to be remembered'. It gained widespread use in English during the 19th century, especially within corporate and organizational contexts. While 'memo' is often associated with business communication, it can be used in a variety of settings to indicate any short, internal message.

The Memo That Changed Everything

Story

The Memo That Changed Everything

It was a crisp Monday morning when Jane walked into the office. The usual buzz of conversation filled the air, but there was something different today. As she sat down at her desk, she noticed a memo slipped under her door. 'Urgent: Changes to Project Timeline' it read in bold letters. Jane's heart skipped a beat. Her team had been working tirelessly for months, and now, a simple memo could alter everything. She opened it and scanned the contents: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, all project deadlines have been pushed back by two weeks. Please update your schedules accordingly.' Jane quickly pulled out her phone and sent a message to her colleague, Steve. 'Did you get the memo about the new project timeline?' she typed. Within moments, Steve replied, 'Yes, I got it. Looks like we’ll need to memo the rest of the team.' Over the next few hours, the memo was forwarded to everyone involved in the project, each person marking their calendars with the new dates. Jane, however, felt a sense of unease. The changes would have a ripple effect on the entire department. Later that day, she met with her manager, Greg, who had been the one to issue the memo. He was surprised by how quickly the information had spread. 'I’m glad everyone’s on top of it,' he said, but Jane could see the weight of the changes on his face. After the meeting, Jane returned to her desk and composed a memo of her own to send to her team. She knew that communicating these changes was crucial for everyone to stay on track. As she clicked 'send', she reflected on how something as simple as a memo could turn a calm Monday into a whirlwind of adjustments and new plans.