memoir

noun

mem·​oir ˈmem-ˌwär How to pronounce memoir (audio)
-ˌwȯr
1
: an official note or report : memorandum
2
a
: a narrative composed from personal experience
every memoir reminds us of the faraway and long ago, of loss and change, of persons and places beyond recallAbigail McCarthy
b
: autobiography
usually used in plural
His memoirs recall his student days at Harvard.
c
: biography
his memoir of his longtime friend
3
a
: an account of something noteworthy : report
the work described and discussed in this memoir represent a first-class investigationJ. A. Steers
b
memoirs plural : the record of the proceedings of a learned society
memoirist noun

Examples of memoir in a Sentence

a retired politician who is writing his memoirs He has written a memoir of his mother. a memoir of Hollywood in the 1930s
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prior’s posthumously published 1843 memoir, Walks of Usefulness, drew on reports from these missionary visits, introducing the AFMRS to an even wider audience. Jenna Deep, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025 While the first recounted the details of her conviction, her 2025 memoir, Free: My Search for Meaning, chronicled her obstacles while reintegrating into society. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Developing this style of dining, the process of opening this restaurant, and a culmination of all of the chef’s life experiences led to the writing of his personal memoir which shares the bright and fun, but also the dark and real. Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025 The singer-songwriter is also still at work on her memoir. Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for memoir

Word History

Etymology

Middle French memoire, from memoire memory, from Latin memoria

First Known Use

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of memoir was in 1571

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Memoir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memoir. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

memoir

noun
mem·​oir ˈmem-ˌwär How to pronounce memoir (audio)
-ˌwȯ(ə)r
1
a
: a story of a personal experience
b
: autobiography
usually used in plural
c
2

More from Merriam-Webster on memoir

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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