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memorize

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

Definition of memorize

transitive verb

: to commit to memory : learn by heart
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Other Words from memorize

memorizable \ ˌme-​mə-​ˈrī-​zə-​bəl How to pronounce memorizable (audio) \ adjective
memorization \ ˌme-​mə-​rə-​ˈzā-​shən How to pronounce memorization (audio) , ˌme-​mə-​(ˌ)rī-​ , ˌmem-​rə-​ \ noun
memorizer noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for memorize

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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 Her parents and others of their generation had memorized lines of poetry. — Ginny Lowe Connors And Ines P. Rivera Prosdocimi, courant.com, "CT Poets Corner: Ines P. Rivera Prosdocimi’s poems encourage connections," 18 Nov. 2019 Any Scrabbler with pro-level aspirations must memorize every one of the 127 internationally legal two-letter words, and the 1,347 three-letter words. — William Herkewitz, Popular Mechanics, "How Scrabble Pros Bend Words to Their Will," 10 Nov. 2019 Early holy texts were composed and transmitted orally, memorized by way of chant and song. — Christopher Beha, Harper's magazine, "How to Read the Bible," 28 Oct. 2019 Despite his injury, Allen memorized the license plate number of the bandit’s car. — Julia Bricklin, Smithsonian, "How the ‘Blonde Rattlesnake’ Stirred Public Fascination With Female Accomplices," 24 Sep. 2019 But there was a clincher: the woman in Galbraith’s case had remained as focused as possible during her ordeal, memorizing details. — Emma Dibdin, Harper's BAZAAR, "A Complete Timeline of the True Story Behind Netflix's Unbelievable," 19 Sep. 2019 That struggle led him to brawl with schoolyard bullies, to memorize and recite Irish poetry, and to witness his mother threaten a nun who had humiliated him. — Los Angeles Times, "Joe Biden’s childhood struggle with a stutter: How he overcame it and how it shaped him," 16 Sep. 2019 Biology required her to memorize a variety of terms and definitions. — Andrew Adkins, Washington Post, "Childhood cancer survivor graduates, writes new chapter," 6 Sep. 2019 Back in the '40s, Navajo children were trained to memorize things. — Shondiin Silversmith, azcentral, "For Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald, a 'beautiful blue' uniform led him to enlist at 15," 29 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'memorize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of memorize

1834, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for memorize

Time Traveler

The first known use of memorize was in 1834

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Statistics for memorize

Last Updated

22 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Memorize.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorizing. Accessed 22 November 2019.

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More Definitions for memorize

memorize

verb
How to pronounce memorize (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of memorize

: to learn (something) so well that you are able to remember it perfectly

See the full definition for memorize in the English Language Learners Dictionary

memorize

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

Kids Definition of memorize

: to learn by heart My sister has memorized all the state capitals.

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More from Merriam-Webster on memorize

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for memorize

Spanish Central: Translation of memorize

Nglish: Translation of memorize for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of memorize for Arabic Speakers

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