meme (plural memes) (philosophy) Any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, practices, habits, songs, dances and moods and terms such as race, culture, and ethnicity. (philosophy) A self-propagating unit of cultural evolution having a resemblance to the gene (the unit of genetics). initiative (plural initiatives) A beginning; a first move. A new development; a fresh approach to something; a new way of dealing with a problem. The ability to act first or on one's own.