memorize

verb

mem·​o·​rize ˈme-mə-ˌrīz How to pronounce memorize (audio)
memorized; memorizing

transitive verb

: to commit to memory : learn by heart
memorizable adjective
memorizer noun

Examples of memorize in a Sentence

an actress memorizing her lines everyone has to memorize a poem for next week's class
Recent Examples on the Web Marshall memorized key parts of the Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Fun fact: Rajveer Meena from Vellore, India holds the record for most digits of Pi memorized, having recited 70,000 digits over the course of nearly 10 hours in 2015. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Preschoolers were memorizing a verse from I Samuel. Emma Green, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 This week, the bit about Larry using his bathroom time productively to memorize the Gettysburg Address was also inspired by the real David. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 No one could possibly memorize or store in their brain the entire infinite sequence of digits. Craig S. Smith, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Eighties babies and 90s kids spent hours immersed in music videos, memorizing choreography, rehearsing dance moves, and reciting the rhymes of our favorite rappers. Ebony Flake, Essence, 15 Feb. 2024 Is understanding concepts more important than memorizing for the CPA exam? Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 In a country like Japan, where education has traditionally focused on memorizing knowledge, the integration of AI into higher education may accelerate the need to shift how students learn. Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of memorize was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near memorize

Cite this Entry

“Memorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorize. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

memorize

verb
mem·​o·​rize ˈmem-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce memorize (audio)
memorized; memorizing
: to learn by heart
memorization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on memorize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!