meme

[ meem ]

noun

1. 1. a cultural item that is transmitted by repetition and replication in a manner analogous to the biological transmission of genes.
   2. a cultural item in the form of an image, video, phrase, etc., that is spread via the internet and often altered in a creative or humorous way.

verb (used without object)

, memed, meme·ing or mem·ing.

1. to create and spread memes:

   He spends a lot of time memeing and sharing his videos with friends.

verb (used with object)

, memed, meme·ing or mem·ing.

1. to make the subject of a meme:

   cute cats that get memed.

meme

/ miːm /

noun

1. an idea or element of social behaviour passed on through generations in a culture, esp by imitation

Word History and Origins

Origin of meme¹

First recorded in 1976; coined by British evolutionary biologist C. Richard Dawkins (born 1941), shortening of Dawkins's original creation mimeme, which was based on Greek mī́mēma “imitation, copy; artistic representation,” but which Dawkins also wanted to look and sound like gene; mimesis ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of meme¹

C20: possibly from mimic , on the model of gene

Example Sentences

In some cases it’s social media, or memes.

From Los Angeles Times

Once the harassment campaign started to get more national attention, thousands of feminists logged on to defend the targets, flooding Twitter with memes and counterarguments that recognized the true villains as the Gamergaters themselves.

From Salon

Indeed, Sun said in a statement that the Cattelan work “represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.”

From New York Times

These are usually inspired by internet jokes or memes and are supported by online communities.

From BBC

Kirk, a millionaire known for his memes and college campus tours meant to “own the libs,” has credited McCoy for persuading him to meld his right-wing politics, nationalism and evangelical faith.

From Los Angeles Times