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memory

noun mem·o·ry \ˈmem-rē, ˈme-mə-\

: the power or process of remembering what has been learned

: something that is remembered

: the things learned and kept in the mind

plural mem·o·ries

Full Definition of MEMORY

a : the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained especially through associative mechanisms

b : the store of things learned and retained from an organism's activity or experience as evidenced by modification of structure or behavior or by recall and recognition

a : commemorative remembrance <erected a statue in memory of the hero>

b : the fact or condition of being remembered <days of recent memory>

a : a particular act of recall or recollection

b : an image or impression of one that is remembered <fond memories of her youth>

c : the time within which past events can be or are remembered

a : a device (as a chip) or a component of a device in which information especially for a computer can be inserted and stored and from which it may be extracted when wanted; especially : ram

b : capacity for storing information <512 megabytes of memory>

: a capacity for showing effects as the result of past treatment or for returning to a former condition —used especially of a material (as metal or plastic)

See memory defined for English-language learners

See memory defined for kids

Origin of MEMORY

Middle English memorie, from Anglo-French memoire, memorie, from Latin memoria, from memor mindful; akin to Old English gemimor well-known, Greek mermēra care, Sanskrit smarati he remembers

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MEMORY

Synonyms: mind, recollection, remembrance, reminiscence

Synonym Discussion of MEMORY

memory, remembrance, recollection, reminiscence mean the capacity for or the act of remembering, or the thing remembered. memory applies both to the power of remembering and to what is remembered <gifted with a remarkable memory> <that incident was now just a distant memory>. remembrance applies to the act of remembering or the fact of being remembered <any remembrance of his deceased wife was painful>. recollection adds an implication of consciously bringing back to mind often with some effort <after a moment's recollection he produced the name>. reminiscence suggests the recalling of usually pleasant incidents, experiences, or feelings from a remote past <my grandmother's reminiscences of her Iowa girlhood>.

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Rhymes with MEMORY

emery

MEMORY Defined for Kids

memory

noun mem·o·ry \ˈme-mə-rē, ˈmem-rē\

plural mem·o·ries

Definition of MEMORY for Kids

: the power or process of remembering <She has a bad memory for names.>

: the store of things learned and kept in the mind <… Botticelli … recited from memory all the confessions he had heard from prisoners. — Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux>

: the act of remembering and honoring <The statue is in memory of a great soldier.>

: something remembered <a pleasant memory>

: the time within which past events are remembered <What happened is not within the memory of any living person.>

: a device or part in a computer which can receive and store information for use when wanted <random access memory>

: capacity for storing information <The computer has 512 megabytes of memory.>

Medical Dictionary

memory

noun mem·o·ry \ˈmem-(ə-)rē\

plural mem·o·ries

Medical Definition of MEMORY

a : the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained especially through associative mechanisms b : the store of things learned and retained from an organism's activity or experience as indicated by modification of structure or behavior or by recall and recognition

: a capacity for showing effects as the result of past treatment or for returning to a former condition—used especially of a material (as metal or plastic)