- the ability of the mind to store and recall past sensations, thoughts, knowledge, etc: she can do it from memory
- the part of the brain that appears to have this function
- the sum of everything retained by the mind
- a particular recollection of an event, person, etc
- the time over which recollection extends: within my memory
- commemoration or remembrance: in memory of our leader
- the state of being remembered, as after death
- Also called: RAM, main store, store a part of a computer in which information is stored for immediate use by the central processing unit
See also virtual storage
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
mem•o•ry /ˈmɛməri/USA pronunciation
n., pl. -ries.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- the mental ability of keeping and recalling facts, events, or experiences:[uncountable]long- and short-term memory.
- this ability as possessed by an individual:[countable]to have a good memory.
- the length of time over which remembering extends:[countable]within living memory.
- a mental picture kept in the mind;
a recollection:[countable]memories of summer at the beach. - the state or fact of being remembered, esp. to commemorate someone or something:[uncountable]bowed their heads in memory of their parents.
- Computing [uncountable] Also called storage.
- the capacity of a computer to store information:random access memory.
- the components of the computer in which such information is stored:He bought extra memory and installed it in his computer.
mem•o•ry
(mem′ə rē),USA pronunciation n., pl. -ries.
- the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences.
- this faculty as possessed by a particular individual:to have a good memory.
- the act or fact of retaining and recalling impressions, facts, etc.;
remembrance;
recollection:to draw from memory. - the length of time over which recollection extends:a time within the memory of living persons.
- a mental impression retained;
a recollection:one's earliest memories. - the reputation of a person or thing, esp. after death;
fame:a ruler of beloved memory. - the state or fact of being remembered.
- a person, thing, event, fact, etc., remembered.
- commemorative remembrance;
commemoration:a monument in memory of Columbus. - the ability of certain materials to return to an original shape after deformation.
- ComputingAlso called computer memory, storage.
- the capacity of a computer to store information subject to recall.
- the components of the computer in which such information is stored.
- Rhetoricthe step in the classical preparation of a speech in which the wording is memorized.
- [Cards.]concentration (def. 7).
- Latin memoria, equivalent. to memor mindful, remembering + -ia -y3
- Middle English memorie 1275–1325
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
memory /ˈmɛmərɪ/ n ( pl -ries)
'memory card' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):