memory

noun
mem·​o·​ry | \ ˈmem-rē How to pronounce memory (audio) , 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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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 2019

These 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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First Known Use of memory

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for 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

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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

memory

noun
mem·​o·​ry | \ ˈme-mə-rē How to pronounce memory (audio) , 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.