memory

noun

mem·​o·​ry ˈmem-rē How to pronounce memory (audio)
ˈme-mə-
plural memories
1
a
: 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
2
a
: commemorative remembrance
erected a statue in memory of the hero
b
: the fact or condition of being remembered
days of recent memory
3
a
: 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
4
a
: 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)
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.
Recent Examples on the Web Lenker is 31 now, but those memories are still razor-sharp, and her feelings about them just as intense. Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2024 Connecticut, Purdue, Houston and North Carolina powered their way into the Sweet 16 like few top-line quartets in recent memory. Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024 Named to honor the legacy of the late theater director Peter Brook, this was the first U.K. theater award named in Brook’s memory, curated for the Critics’ Circle by founder Blanche Marvin. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Mar. 2024 Travel memories may last forever, but these deals definitely won’t. Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 24 Mar. 2024 Alongside the message, the animal shelter also shared a photo of a plaque that was crafted in Garrison’s memory. Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 24 Mar. 2024 Yes, this memory comes back rather quickly, as well. Brian Robin, Orange County Register, 23 Mar. 2024 In fact, Trump savaged nearly every Republican standard-nearer in recent memory, and all the party's living presidents and almost all the living nominees rejected him. CBS News, 23 Mar. 2024 The institution is now facing one of its biggest crises in recent memory, with two of its most senior family members essentially out of action. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'memory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of memory was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near memory

Cite this Entry

“Memory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memory. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

memory

noun
mem·​o·​ry ˈmem-(ə-)rē How to pronounce memory (audio)
plural memories
1
a
: the power or process of recalling what has been learned
b
: the store of things learned and kept in the mind
recite from memory
2
: commemoration sense 1
a monument in memory of a hero
3
: something remembered
has pleasant memories of the trip
4
: the time within which past events can be remembered
within the memory of people living today
5
a
: a device (as in a computer) into which information can be inserted and stored and from which it may be taken when needed
b
: capacity for storing information
a computer with 512 megabytes of memory

Medical Definition

memory

noun
mem·​o·​ry ˈmem-(ə-)rē How to pronounce memory (audio)
plural memories
1
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
2
: 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)

More from Merriam-Webster on memory

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