WordGarden.iomemory
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɛmərˌi/
US
- /ˈmɛməri/
Meanings
Noun
the ability to remember and recall things
a remembered event, experience, or impression from the past
computer capacity for storing data and running programs
More meaningsFewer meanings
the continued remembrance or honoring of a person after death
Beyond the definition
Memory isn't just about remembering your birthday or where you left your keys—though it certainly includes those things! It's the way our brains store, retain, and recall information and past experiences. Think of it like an internal library filled with everything you've ever learned, felt, and seen. A cherished memory might be a warm summer day at the beach, while a frustrating one could be forgetting a crucial detail during an exam.
We have memories (like "I have vivid memories of my childhood"), we make new ones every day, and sometimes they can even play tricks on us. The word can also be used for computers and phones, where it means the part that stores data and lets the device keep information.
Memory is a complex mental faculty responsible for encoding, storing, and retrieving information. It's not a single thing, but rather a system with different types. Sensory memory briefly holds impressions from our senses (like a fleeting image or sound). Short-term memory allows us to hold a small amount of information temporarily—think remembering a phone number long enough to dial it. And long-term memory is where we store things for days, weeks, years, or even a lifetime.
Long-term memory itself has subcategories: explicit (declarative) memory involves conscious recall of facts and events (like knowing the capital of France), while implicit (non-declarative) memory includes skills and habits learned through repetition (like riding a bike).
Memory isn't perfect. It is reconstructive, meaning we don't simply replay past events like a video; instead, our brains piece together fragments of information, sometimes filling in gaps or altering details. This is why eyewitness testimony can be unreliable, and why personal narratives often evolve over time.
From remembering how to breathe to recalling the faces of loved ones, memory shapes who we are, influences our decisions, and connects us to our past. It's a fundamental aspect of being human—a treasure trove of experiences that defines our individual stories. A loss of memory is known as amnesia, which can be caused by brain injury or disease.
Outside the mind, memory also has an important meaning in technology. In computers, phones, and other devices, it refers to the part of the system that stores information or holds data ready for use. People may talk about a device having "more memory" when they mean it can store or handle more information.
Examples
- 1
Everyday ability
My memory isn't as good as it used to be.
- 2
Personal recollection
I have a clear memory of our first day at school.
- 3
Remembering details
She has a good memory for names and faces.
- Patternmemory for + type of information
ability to remember that type of thing
- 4
Medical condition
After the accident, he lost his memory for a few days.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Recitation
I can still recite the poem from memory.
- Phrasefrom memory
without looking at notes or text
- 6
Sensory trigger
The smell of bread brought back memories of my grandmother's kitchen.
- Phrasebring back memories
make you remember the past
- 7
Memorial tribute
They planted a tree in memory of their teacher.
- Phrasein memory of someone
to honor someone who has died
- 8
Reminder
This photo should jog your memory.
- Phrasejog someone's memory
help someone remember
- 9
Computer hardware
The computer needs more memory to run the program smoothly.
- 10
Nostalgia
Visiting my old neighborhood was a walk down memory lane.
- Phrasememory lane
thoughts or talk about happy times in the past
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- short-term memory
- long-term memory
- memory loss
- from memory
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- memorynoun
Forms
- memoriespluralnoun