memoir

mem·oir

Use memoir in a sentence

Sharon helped her husband write his memoir so their children could know about the fascinating life he has lived.

noun

The definition of a memoir is a retelling or recount of a life lived, often in book or movie form.

When you write the history of your life in a book, this is an example of a memoir.

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MLA Style

"memoir." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/memoir>.

APA Style

memoir. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/memoir

memoir

a biography, usually one written by someone who knew the subject well
[pl.] an autobiography, esp. one that is objective and anecdotal in emphasis rather than inward and subjective
[pl.] a report or record of important events based on the writer's personal knowledge
a report or record of a scholarly investigation, scientific study, etc.
[pl.] the record of the proceedings of a learned society

Origin of memoir

French mémoire, masculine , a memorandum, memoir, feminine , memory from Classical Latin memoria, memory

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Link to this page

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MLA Style

"memoir." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/memoir>.

APA Style

memoir. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/memoir

memoir

noun

An account of the personal experiences of an author.
often memoirs An autobiography.
A biography or biographical sketch.
A report, especially on a scientific or scholarly topic.
memoirs The report of the proceedings of a learned society.

Origin of memoir

French mémoire from Old French memoire memory from Latin memoria ; see memory .

Related Forms:

mem′oir·ist
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"memoir." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/memoir>.

APA Style

memoir. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/memoir

Noun

(plural memoirs)

An autobiography; a book describing the personal experiences of an author.
When I retire, I'm going to write my memoirs.
Any form of narrative describing the personal experiences of a writer.

Usage notes

A memoir differs from a simple autobiography by not focusing on the author as the primary subject matter, but on people and events in the author's life. Emphasis is placed on personal observations about external events.
The plural memoirs is very often used to refer to a single work.

Origin

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.