RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does random-access memory mean? 

• RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY (noun)
  The noun RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY has 1 sense:

1. the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible

  Familiarity information: RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

RAM; random-access memory; random access memory; random memory; read/write memory

Hypernyms ("random-access memory" is a kind of...):

volatile storage (computer storage that is erased when the power is turned off)

Meronyms (parts of "random-access memory"):

buffer; buffer storage; buffer store ((computer science) a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device; used to compensate for differences in the rate of flow of data between components of a computer system)

core; magnetic core ((computer science) a tiny ferrite toroid formerly used in a random access memory to store one bit of data; now superseded by semiconductor memories)

RAM disk ((computer science) a virtual drive that is created by setting aside part of the random-access memory to use as if it were a group of sectors)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "random-access memory"):

core memory; magnetic core memory ((computer science) a computer memory consisting of an array of magnetic cores; now superseded by semiconductor memories)