memorization

noun

mem·​o·​ri·​za·​tion ˌme-mə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌme-mə-(ˌ)rī-,

ˌmem-rə-

: the act or process of memorizing something : commitment of something to memory

The current emphasis on written exams and memorization encourages what is referred to bitterly by many educators as "teaching to the test."

—Alison Lurie

Seeking a balance to his daily diet of science and memorization of facts, he pursues music avocationally.

—Judith Wynn Halsted

Common core standards, which Alabama adopted in 2010 and implemented in 2012, emphasize thinking mathematically rather than memorization of formulas.

—Trisha Powell Crain

Examples of memorization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If these cases were counted, the amount of memorization would be even higher. —ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025

These tools can enhance critical and transformative thinking by automating tasks like memorization, administration and evaluation, freeing educators to focus on meaningful student interactions. —Balaji Soundararajan, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

More formal memorization used to be a common classroom ritual. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Education must evolve beyond rote memorization to fostering critical inquiry, complex problem-solving, and the cultivation of uniquely human skills that complement, rather than compete with, AI. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for memorization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration