Dictionary

memory en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈmɛm.ɹi/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈmɪm.ə.ɹi/ (pin-pen-merger)
• /ˈmem.ɹi/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• /ˈmɛm.ə.ɹi/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• (General-American) audio
• /ˈmɪm.ɹi/ (pin-pen-merger)
• /ˈmem.ə.ɹi/ (Australia, New-Zealand)

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman memorie, Old French memoire etc., from Latin memoria (“the faculty of remembering, remembrance, memory, a historical account”), from memor (“mindful, remembering”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mer- (to remember), related to Ancient Greek μνήμη (mnḗmē, “memory”) μέρμερος (mérmeros, “anxious”), μέριμνα (mérimna, “care, thought”), Old English ġemimor (“mindful, remembering”). More at mimmer. Doublet of memoir and memoria. Displaced native Old English myne (whence English min) and Old English ġemynd, which took on a different meaning as modern mind.

Meanings

1. (uncountable) The ability of the brain to record information or impressions with the facility of recalling them later, usually at will.
   • Memory is a facility common to all animals.
   • And they say goldfish have no memory. I guess their lives are much like mine. And the little plastic castle is a surprise every time. 1998, “Little Plastic Castle”, in Little Plastic Castle, performed by Ani DiFranco:
2. (countable, uncountable) A record of a thing or an event stored and available for later use by an organism.
   • I have no memory of that event.
   • I know I can't hide from my memory Though day after day I've tried I keep sayin', she'll be back But today again I've lied 1971, Chi-Lites, “Have You Seen Her”, in (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People:
   • My wedding is one of my happiest memories.
   • Sam and his friends will never forget the happy memories of the field trip to France.
3. (countable, uncountable) The part of a computer that stores variable executable code or data (RAM) or unalterable executable code or default data (ROM).
   • My first microcomputer had 12K of memory. When I expanded to a full 64K, I thought I had all the memory I'd ever need. Hah. I know better now. 1987 July 27, Jerry Pournelle, “Law of Expanding Memory: Applications Will Also Expand Until RAM Is Full”, in InfoWorld, volume 9, number 30, InfoWorld Media Group Inc, page 46:
   • This data passes from the CPU to the memory.
4. (countable, uncountable) The time within which past events can be or are remembered.
   • in recent memory
   • in living memory
5. (attributive, countable, uncountable) Of a material, which returns to its original shape when heated.
   • memory metal
   • memory plastic
6. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) A memorial.
   • These weeds are memories of those worser hours. c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vii]:
7. (countable, uncountable) Synonym of pelmanism (“memory card game”).
   • After he saw her a few more times, Mr. Cherkasky asked Ms. Cochrane out on a date in May 2008 to Central Park. He brought along some games to break the ice, and Ms. Cochrane brought cupcakes. They found a quiet place to sit and played Memory and Yahtzee, both of which were new to Ms. Cochrane. 2010 July 30, Paula Schwartz, “Lyndsea Cochrane and Ethan Cherkasky”, in The New York Times:
   • One example of that would be a memory game that I originally worked on with a friend of mine at Ovrflo Media some time ago. If you aren't familiar with the game of memory, it's a matching game where you are presented with several cards in the facedown position. 2010, Jason Fincanon, “Advergaming and Applications”, in Flash Advertising: Flash Platform Development of Microsites, Advergames and Branded Applications, Burlington, MA: Focal Press, →ISBN, page 183:
8. (collective, countable, rare, uncountable) A term of venery for a social group of elephants, normally called a herd.

Forms

Antonyms

blank

Deriveds

memory care · postmemory · memory-unsafe · memory chip · memory barrier · memory drive · memory core · extended memory · dynamic memory allocation · memex · constructive memory · memory stick · memory journey · memory safety · random access memory · selective memory · memory cell · nonmemory · commit to memory · secondary memory · non-volatile random access memory · memcapacitor · echoic memory · programmable read only memory · highly superior autobiographical memory · physical memory protection · primary memory · memory page · extinction memory · flashbulb memory · memory like a sieve · as memory serves · magnetic core memory · memory root · static random access memory · memory leak · institutional memory · living memory · memory typewriter · memory span · retrospective memory · DIP memory · ferrite core memory · muscle memory · memory ballooning · have a short memory · memory effect · semantic memory · memory of a goldfish · memory metal · childhood memory · battery memory · base memory · EDO memory · memory-holing · collective memory · memory balloon · dynamic random access memory · memory institution · declarative memory · memory B cell · shadow memory · memory-hole · memoryful · memory enhancer · photographic memory · water memory · pseudomemory · folk memory · genetic memory · if memory serves · memory-wipe · memristor · memory box · random-access memory · semiconductor memory · episodic memory · read-only memory · volatile memory · metamemory · buddy memory allocation · memory café · memoryless · recent memory · memoried · superior autobiographical memory · jog someone's memory · long memory · upper memory area · motor memory · long-term memory · false memory syndrome · transactional memory · memory unit · static memory allocation · memory dump · racial memory · in-memory · memory hole · virtual memory · screen memory · shape memory alloy · false memory · race memory · memory distrust syndrome · time of memory · memory frame · of blessed memory · read only memory · programmable read-only memory · memory quilt · damnation of memory · multimemory · eidetic memory · memorist · bubble memory · memcapacitance · resistive random access memory · memorycide · memory cartridge · memory T cell · memory jogger · memory palace · procedural memory · dynamic memory · translation memory · main memory · in living memory · thermomemory · core memory · working memory · time-memory trade-off · recovered memory · within living memory · forgettery · conventional memory · short-term memory · memory-safe · write-only memory · in memory of · high memory area · in recent memory · sensory memory · expanded memory · false-memory syndrome · flash memory · non-volatile memory · refresh someone's memory

Hypernyms

record

Hyponyms

flashback

Relateds

remember · memorable · memoir · memory foam · memorabilia · mnemonics · memorate · memory bank · memorial · memorise · memo · memory card · memorandum · memory-ridden · memory lane · memorize

Synonyms

reminiscence · recall · retention · memory · recollection · rememoration · recall · core · recall · recollection · pelmanism

Translations (341)

fi muisto (stored record) · scn mimoria (stored record) · vi trí nhớ (ability to recall) · myv таштавкс-пурнавкс (RAM or ROM) · ja メモリー (RAM or ROM) · id memori (stored record) · nrf mémouaithe (ability to recall) · rm algord (ability to recall) · lt atmintis (ability to recall) · ko 기억 (ability to recall) · vi kỷ niệm (stored record) · cs paměť (RAM or ROM) · uz hofiza (ability to recall) · hy հիշողություն (stored record) · bn ইয়াদ (ability to recall) · sh pȃmćēnje (stored record) · mel keneng (ability to recall) · myv мелем (RAM or ROM) · uz xotira (ability to recall) · he זִכָּרוֹן (RAM or ROM) · ka მეხსიერება (ability to recall) · my မှတ်ဉာဏ် (ability to recall) · ka მახსოვრობა (ability to recall) · pl pamięć (RAM or ROM) · myv мель (ability to recall) · sl spomin (stored record) · uz yod (ability to recall) · fi muistikuva (stored record) · sa स्मृति (ability to recall) · ceb memorya (ability to recall) · hi स्मृति (ability to recall) · hy հիշատակ (stored record) · mi pūmaharatanga (stored record) · izh muisto (ability to recall) · ja 記憶 (stored record) · sv minne (ability to recall) · tg ёд (ability to recall) · mi pātaka (RAM or ROM) · fa-ira یادِگار (stored record) · es recuerdo (stored record) · he זיכרון \ זִכָּרוֹן (ability to recall) · de Gedächtnis (ability to recall) · qu yarpay (ability to recall) · lb Erënnerung (stored record) · mk спомен (stored record) · ky эс (ability to recall) · ur حافِظَہ (ability to recall) · sk pamäť (ability to recall) · ko 추억 (stored record) · cmn 記性 /记性 (ability to recall) · bg па́мет (ability to recall) · cmn 內存 /内存 (RAM or ROM) · rm algordanza (ability to recall) · tk hakyda (ability to recall) · ca record (stored record) · tr anı (stored record) · hu memória (RAM or ROM) · lb Memoire (ability to recall) · haw haliʻa (ability to recall) · csb pamiãc (ability to recall) · lt atmintinė (RAM or ROM) · tr hatır (ability to recall) · gl lembranza (stored record) · fi muisti (ability to recall) · haw hoʻomanaʻo ʻana (ability to recall) · el ανάμνηση (stored record) · hu memória (ability to recall) · az yaddaş (ability to recall) · tr hatıra (stored record) · scn mimoria (RAM or ROM) · or ସ୍ମୃତି (ability to recall) · la memoria (ability to recall) · sk pamäť (RAM or ROM) · nl geheugen (RAM or ROM) · ba иҫтәлек (stored record) · nb hukommelse (ability to recall) · my စိတ်မှတ် (ability to recall) · kk ес (ability to recall) · af geheue (ability to recall) · ml ഓർമ്മശക്തി (ability to recall) · hi हाफ़िज़ा (ability to recall) · grc μνημοσύνη (ability to recall) · ta ஞாபகம் (ability to recall) · ur یاد (ability to recall) · yi אָנדענק (stored record) · fi muisti (stored record) · ba хәтер (ability to recall) · gl memoria (ability to recall) · yai ёд (ability to recall) · bg спо́мен (stored record) · id memori (ability to recall) · prs حَافِظَه (RAM or ROM) · khb ᦉᦲᧃ ᦈᦹᧈ (ability to recall) · az xatirə (stored record) · gd cuimhne (stored record) · kmr bîr (ability to recall) · el θύμηση (stored record) · zza xafıze (ability to recall) · fi muisti (RAM or ROM) · mi maharatanga (ability to recall) · cmn 回憶 /回忆 (stored record) · mk меморија (ability to recall) · ro ținere de minte (ability to recall) · hi याद (ability to recall) · zza vir (diq) (ability to recall) · cjs эс (ability to recall) · ja 記憶 (ability to recall) · be успаміна́нне (stored record) · tk ýadygär (ability to recall) · th ความทรงจำ (ability to recall) · be па́мяць (ability to recall) · mt memorja (ability to recall) · hu emlék (stored record) · ar ذِكْرَى (stored record) · pt recordação (stored record) · chr ᎠᏅᏓᏗᏍᏗ (ability to recall) · ast memoria (stored record) · mfe memwa (ability to recall) · kk жад (ability to recall) · az xatirə (ability to recall) · sv minne (stored record) · rsk паметанє (ability to recall) · am ትዝታ (ability to recall) · gl memoria (RAM or ROM) · ca memòria (RAM or ROM) · mk сеќавање (ability to recall) · sq kujtesa (ability to recall) · lb Gediechtnes (ability to recall) · nl geheugen (ability to recall) · cy cof (ability to recall) · ro memorie (ability to recall) · mr आठवण (ability to recall) · ta நினைவகம் (RAM or ROM) · sh pȃmćēnje (ability to recall) · ru па́мять (ability to recall) · uk па́м'ять (RAM or ROM) · ta ஞாபகம் (stored record) · gd cuimhne (ability to recall) · id ingatan (ability to recall) · ro memorie (RAM or ROM) · fo minni (ability to recall) · fi muisti (the time within which past events can be or are remembered) · tg хотира (ability to recall) · sv hågkomst (ability to recall) · pl pamięć (ability to recall) · it ricordo (stored record) · yue 記憶 /记忆 (stored record) · da hukommelse (RAM or ROM) · lb Erënnerung (ability to recall) · wuu 記憶 /记忆 (ability to recall) · as স্মৃতি (ability to recall) · zlw-slv pamjãc (ability to recall) · lo ຄວາມຊົງຈຳ (ability to recall) · ru па́мять (the time within which past events can be or are remembered) · myv пурнавкс (RAM or ROM) · fr souvenir (stored record) · ga cuimhne (ability to recall) · el μνήμη (stored record) · is minni (RAM or ROM) · fr mémoire (RAM or ROM) · tt хәтер (ability to recall) · rm regurdientscha (ability to recall) · el μνήμη (ability to recall) · tk ýatlama (ability to recall) · cmn 追憶 /追忆 (stored record) · nl herinnering (stored record) · prs یَاد (ability to recall) · sw kumbukumbu (ability to recall) · ja 思い出 (stored record) · scn mimòria (RAM or ROM) · oc memòria (ability to recall) · be успамі́н (stored record) · te జ్ఞాపకము (stored record) · he זיכרון (RAM or ROM) · es memoria (RAM or ROM) · zza hafıze (RAM or ROM) · tl memorya (ability to recall) · yi זכּרון (ability to recall) · tr anı (the time within which past events can be or are remembered) · cmn 記憶 /记忆 (ability to recall) · tg зеҳн (ability to recall) · fr mémoire (ability to recall) · mr स्मृती (ability to recall) · he זיכרון \ זִכָּרוֹן (stored record) · tk huş (ability to recall) · eo memoro (ability to recall) · cmn 記性兒 /记性儿 (ability to recall) · uk па́м'ять (ability to recall) · ro amintire (stored record) · id memori (RAM or ROM) · nb dataminne (RAM or ROM) · nn minne (ability to recall) · bn স্মৃতি (ability to recall) · te జ్ఞాపకము (ability to recall) · orv памѧть (ability to recall) · nb minne (ability to recall) · ms ingatan (ability to recall) · pa ਯਾਦ (ability to recall) · cu памѧть (ability to recall) · pt lembrança (stored record) · ug خاتىرە (ability to recall) · tk ýat (ability to recall) · az hafizə (ability to recall) · ru воспомина́ние (stored record) · rm ragurdientscha (ability to recall) · fa-ira حافِظِه (RAM or ROM) · rue память (ability to recall) · pt memória (RAM or ROM) · ml ഓർമ്മ (stored record) · fo minni (RAM or ROM) · sk spomienka (stored record) · sq kujtesë (ability to recall) · khb ᦅᧄ ᦈᦹᧈ (ability to recall) · fa-ira حافِظِه (ability to recall) · lo ຄວາມຈຳ (ability to recall) · pt memória (ability to recall) · yue 記性 /记性 (ability to recall) · km សតិ (ability to recall) · sh па̑мће̄ње (stored record) · io memoro (ability to recall) · scn mimoria (ability to recall) · oc memòria (stored record) · cmn 記憶 /记忆 (stored record) · za geiqsingq (ability to recall) · scn mimòria (ability to recall) · ko 메모리 (RAM or ROM) · ne स्मृति (ability to recall) · mnc ᡝᠵᡝᠰᡠ (ability to recall) · sv minne (RAM or ROM) · br koun (ability to recall) · th ความจำ (ability to recall) · rm ragurdànza (ability to recall) · tt ис (ability to recall) · ru па́мять (RAM or ROM) · ml മെമ്മറി (RAM or ROM) · uk спо́минок (stored record) · ltg atguods (ability to recall) · sh па̑мће̄ње (ability to recall) · mk помнење (ability to recall) · cmn 記性 /记性 (stored record) · fa-ira خاطِرِه (ability to recall) · hy հուշ (ability to recall) · zza mêras (stored record) · lv atmiņa (ability to recall) · gv cooinaght (ability to recall) · ar ذَاكِرَة (RAM or ROM) · rm memorgia (the time within which past events can be or are remembered) · ba хәтирә (stored record) · cmn 記憶 /记忆 (the time within which past events can be or are remembered) · hnn alaala (ability to recall) · it memoria (RAM or ROM) · kmr bîrkan (ability to recall) · ar ذَاكِرَة (ability to recall) · be па́мяць (RAM or ROM) · cs vzpomínka (stored record) · hy հիշողություն (ability to recall) · vi kí ức (stored record) · rm memoria (the time within which past events can be or are remembered) · prs حَافِظَه (ability to recall) · la memoria (stored record) · ps ياد (ability to recall) · tr bellek (RAM or ROM) · de Erinnerung (stored record) · dsb spomnjeśe (ability to recall) · el μνήμη (RAM or ROM) · pl wspomnienie (stored record) · za geiq (ability to recall) · gl memoria (stored record) · vo mem (stored record) · scn mimòria (stored record) · it memoria (ability to recall) · uk спо́минка (stored record) · tg ҳофиза (ability to recall) · la memoria (RAM or ROM) · ps حافظه (ability to recall) · fa-ira یادْگار (stored record) · grc μνήμη (stored record) · rm mimorgia (the time within which past events can be or are remembered) · tr bellek (ability to recall) · vi bộ nhớ (RAM or ROM) · sl spomin (ability to recall) · uk спо́мин (stored record) · ja メモリ (RAM or ROM) · mn ой ухаан (ability to recall) · ang ġemynd (ability to recall) · scn rigordu (stored record) · mk памтење (ability to recall) · sa स्मरणशक्ति (ability to recall) · nan-hbl 記憶 /记忆 (ability to recall) · lv atmiņa (RAM or ROM) · tl alaala (ability to recall) · cs paměť (ability to recall) · hy հուշ (stored record) · myv мельсэ кирдема (ability to recall) · hy հիշողություն (RAM or ROM) · uk зга́дка (stored record) · gu યાદ (ability to recall) · et mälu (ability to recall) · ca memòria (ability to recall) · ba иҫ (ability to recall) · ast recuerdu (stored record) · mk меморија (RAM or ROM) · prs خَاطِرَه (ability to recall) · az yaddaş (RAM or ROM) · am ትውስታ (ability to recall) · kn ನೆನಪು (ability to recall) · si මතක (ability to recall) · mwl mimória (ability to recall) · yi זכּרון (stored record) · is minni (ability to recall) · ko 회상 (stored record) · ba хәтер (stored record) · ckb بیر (ability to recall) · es memoria (ability to recall) · ast memoria (ability to recall) · ja 回想 (stored record) · eo memoro (stored record) · tg хотир (ability to recall) · it memoria (stored record) · ug ياد (ability to recall) · de Speicher (RAM or ROM) · ja 追憶 (stored record) · hu emlékezet (ability to recall) · nrf mémouaithe (RAM or ROM) · rm algurdaunza (ability to recall) · lb Späicher (RAM or ROM) · gl acordanza (ability to recall) · ar حَافِظَة (ability to recall) · bg па́мет (RAM or ROM) · bo ཁྱིམ་དྲན་སེམས་ནད (ability to recall) · kmr hafize (ability to recall) · da hukommelse (ability to recall) · tr hafıza (ability to recall) · yi זיקאָרן (ability to recall) · ms kenangan (stored record) · uk спо́гад (stored record) · szl pamiyńć (ability to recall) · fa-ira یاد (ability to recall) · rsk памец (ability to recall) · sl spomin (RAM or ROM) · sv erinring (ability to recall)

wikidata: Q492 · wikidata: Q5830907