IMO

American  

Also imo, or IMHO

abbreviation

1. in my (honest/humble) opinion.

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IMO ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. text messaging in my opinion

2. International Maritime Organization

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Imo ² British  

/ ˈiːməʊ /

noun

1. a state of SE Nigeria. Capital: Owerri. Pop:3 934 899 (2006). Area: 5100 sq km (1969 sq miles)

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Etymology

Origin of IMO

First recorded in 1980–85; from its use in digital communications

Example Sentences

Around 20,000 seafarers remained stranded on some 3,200 vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the IMO.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

At the IMO, the Cook Islands pressed Iran to confirm reported evidence that "there is a nascent ships registration system being set up for approved vessels to make safe passage through the Strait" of Hormuz.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

The number of falsely flagged ships globally more than doubled last year to over 450, according to the IMO, the BBC reported in November.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

Last year, it obtained a new IMO number in a move that analysts said was almost unheard of.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

According to "The Economist", the IMO believes that half of all incidents remain untold.

From Crime and Corruption by Vaknin, Samuel