memory bank

noun

: a computer device or component in which information is stored to be retrieved as needed
often plural
But it turned out the spacecraft's computer had overloaded trying to do two things at once—receive instructions for the flyby while compressing images in its memory banks.Kenneth Chang
often used figuratively especially for the part of the mind in which memories are stored
Here's something I pulled up from the memory bank the other day, after cruising the mystery aisles of my neighborhood bookstore …Marilyn Stasio
The same two hormones, it now appears, also prime the brain to take very special note in its memory banks of the circumstance that set off the [fight-or-flight] reaction.Daniel Goleman

Examples of memory bank in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Maybe Adams also needs to be charged with one count of bad memory banks. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2024 The Black American memory bank is something else; a trove of dangerous, bitter social rejections and a pocketful of warm promises. Essence, 12 July 2024 There are two synonymous boxing calls that have been permanently etched into our memory banks. Tony Paige, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2024 The faulty memory bank is located in Voyager 1's Flight Data System (FDS), one of three computers on the spacecraft. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 5 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for memory bank 

Word History

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of memory bank was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near memory bank

Cite this Entry

“Memory bank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memory%20bank. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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