memory
noun
mem·o·ry
| \ ˈmem-rē
, ˈme-mə-\
, ˈme-mə-\
plural memories
Definition of memory
1a
: the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained especially through associative mechanisms
began to lose his memory as he grew older
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
has a good memory for faces
2a
: commemorative remembrance
erected a statue in memory of the hero
b
: the fact or condition of being remembered
days of recent memory
3a
: a particular act of recall or recollection
has no memory of the event
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
within the memory of living men
4a
: a device (such as a chip) or a component of an electronic device (such as a computer or smartphone) in which information 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
5
: a capacity for showing effects as the result of past treatment or for returning to a former condition
—used especially of a material (such as metal or plastic)
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Synonyms for memory
Synonyms
mind, recollection, remembrance, reminiscence
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Examples of memory in a Sentence
He began to lose his memory as he grew older.
Dad has a selective memory: he remembers the times he was right and forgets the times he was wrong.
We have pleasant memories of the trip.
trying to repress bitter memories
His name evokes memories of a happier time.
That time is just a dim memory to me now.
The happiness of those times is still vivid in my memory.
Her name has faded from memory.
I seem to have very little memory of that time in my life.
The sudden shock jogged his memory and everything came flooding back into his mind.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Please share online expressions of sympathy, memories, or photo tributes at www.rosehillfuneralhomes.com. — courant.com, "Caroline J. Irace," 13 Aug. 2019 But for every such gauzy memory, there are more clunkers, or worse yet, permanent scars. — Thomas Beaumont, Fortune, "Iowa State Fair: Where U.S. Politics and Fried Oreos Intersect," 8 Aug. 2019 In the Midwest, the Neurocore Brain Performance Center markets brain training for everything from ADHD, anxiety, and depression to migraines, stress, autism-spectrum disorder, athletic performance, memory, and cognition. — Brad Stulberg, Outside Online, "We've Reached Peak Wellness. Most of It Is Nonsense.," 8 Aug. 2019 In a land of long memories, people still fume over the decision by Northern Ireland’s unionist masters in 1965 to launch the region’s second university not in Derry but in Protestant Coleraine. — The Economist, "Brexit or not, Derry will think in all-island terms," 8 Aug. 2019 India had bad memories of Anglo-American involvement in the late 1940s and early 1960s that strengthened Pakistan’s hand. — Johann Chacko, Quartz India, "With Kashmir move, India risks losing the upper hand of a responsible, nuclear-armed democracy," 6 Aug. 2019 Donations in his memory can be made to Tuna Canyon Detention Station Coalition 12953 Branford St., Pacoima, CA, 91331 or visit www.tunacanyon.org/donate/. — Glendale News-Press, "Longtime local trails, open-space supporter Marc Stirdivant passes away," 2 Aug. 2019 Yet for the first time in memory, that sense of eternal hope has gone missing for most of the first week of training camp. — Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Lions' thin training camp crowds sends a message: Time to win," 31 July 2019 Like other phobias, some people’s fear of holes seems to have started as a result of a bad experience lodged in their memory. — Natasha Lavender, SELF, "Is Trypophobia Really a Fear of Holes or Something Else Entirely?," 26 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'memory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for memory
memory
noun
English Language Learners Definition of memory
: the power or process of remembering what has been learned
: something that is remembered
: the things learned and kept in the mind
See the full definition for memory in the English Language Learners Dictionary
memory
noun
mem·o·ry
| \ ˈme-mə-rē
, ˈmem-rē\
, ˈmem-rē\
plural memories
Kids Definition of memory
1
: the power or process of remembering
She has a bad memory for names.
2
: 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
3
: the act of remembering and honoring
The statue is in memory of a great soldier.
4
: something remembered
a pleasant memory
5
: the time within which past events are remembered
What happened is not within the memory of any living person.
6
: a device or part in a computer which can receive and store information for use when wanted
random access memory
7
: capacity for storing information
The computer has 512 megabytes of memory.