Memory: meaning, definitions and examples

An individual instance of remembering something, sometimes used interchangeably with 'recollection'.

• That vacation was one of my best memories.
• I have a good memory of my childhood home.

Refers to the process of remembering something, often involving effort or concentration. It can sometimes carry a more formal or deliberate connotation.

• To the best of my recollection, the meeting starts at 3 PM.
• Her recollection of the events was different from his.

Often used in a more formal or ceremonial context to refer to honoring or remembering people, events, or things, especially those from the past. It can also imply a sense of nostalgia or respect.

• The ceremony was held in remembrance of those who had passed away.
• He lit a candle in remembrance of his late grandmother.

Refers specifically to the ability to retain information over time. Commonly used in educational or professional settings.

• Her retention of new vocabulary words is impressive.
• Employee retention rates have improved since we implemented the new policy.

General term used for any system that stores data temporarily or permanently in a computer.

• My computer needs more memory to run these programs smoothly
• The memory on my phone is almost full

Refers to any system or device that saves data permanently, such as hard drives or SSDs.

• You should back up your files to avoid losing important data from your storage
• This phone offers 128GB of storage space

Stands for Random Access Memory, used as the short-term memory of a computer for running programs and processing data.

• My laptop has 8GB of RAM
• Adding more RAM can help your computer run more applications at the same time

A specialized form of memory that stores frequently accessed data for quick retrieval.

• The browser uses a cache to load websites faster
• The CPU cache stores the most commonly used instructions

A general term for recalling past events or information. It is neutral and can be used in both personal and more formal contexts.

• She has a good memory for names
• The memory of that day still makes him smile

Typically used in solemn or respectful contexts, often relating to honoring or commemorating someone or something. It carries a sense of reverence and memory.

• The ceremony was in remembrance of those who had fallen
• Her remembrance of their time together brought tears to her eyes

Often used in more formal or reflective settings, referring to the act of remembering something with some effort. It suggests a specific moment or details.

• To the best of my recollection, we met in 2010
• Her recollection of that evening was very vivid

Used when recalling the past with a mix of happiness and a bit of sadness. It often implies longing for a happier or simpler time.

• He felt a wave of nostalgia as he walked through his old neighborhood
• The smell of fresh cookies brings a sense of nostalgia