Meaning

(originally) Any unit of (originally cultural) information, such as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another in a comparable way to the transmission of genes..

Definitions by Sense

1. (originally) Any unit of (originally cultural) information, such as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another in a comparable way to the transmission of genes.
2. (Internet) Media, usually humorous, which is copied and circulated online with slight adaptations, such as basic pictures, video templates, etc.
3. (Internet) A specific instance of a meme, such as an image macro or a video, often with humorous superimposed text.
4. (Internet slang, derogatory) Something which is deceptive; a trick, a ruse.
5. (Internet slang, derogatory) Something not to be taken seriously; a joke.
6. (Internet) A work produced and shared in response to a prompt or suggestion within an online group.
7. (intransitive, Internet slang) To create and use humorous memes.
8. (transitive, Internet slang) To turn into a meme; to use a meme, especially to achieve a goal in real life.

Example Sentences

Examples of memes are tunes, ideas, catch-phrases, clothes fashions, ways of making pots or of building arches.

For most of the population, the media system is, I think, a different one. It's not just the case that it tries to entertain them. It tries to entertain them through memes, which will intensify attitudes that support the interests of elites.

Related memes tend to form mutually supporting meme-complexes such as religions, political ideologies, scientific theories, and New Age dogmas.

The original Hobson and Jobson stock comic characters have died out as a meme, as has the application of their names to the Muharram in India.

He posted a meme that went viral within a few hours on social media.

He stuck memes on the wall to campaign for the position of President.

Not everyone saw the comparison to Nazis as a "meme" - most people on the Net, as elsewhere, had never heard of "memes" or "memetics." But now that we're living in an increasingly information-aware culture, it's time for that to change.

I do...but my journal is a mess. It's mostly filled with memes and my bitching about a house I am building.

Word Forms

• memes
• memeing
• meming
• memed

Synonyms for meme

Related Words

When Should You Use Meme?

Use meme when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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