random-access

adjective

ran·​dom-ac·​cess ˈran-dəm-ˈak-ˌses How to pronounce random-access (audio)
: permitting access to stored data in any order the user desires

Examples of random-access in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The company’s high-bandwidth memory chips, a type of dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM, are sold out for the rest of the year. Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 11 Mar. 2026 The problem instead lies with dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM (dee-ram), chips that support artificial intelligence, infotainment and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Breana Noble, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026 In particular, the older technology that smartphones and laptops need is called DRAM, or dynamic random-access memory. Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 27 Feb. 2026 The company is also building a $7 billion advanced packaging plant in Singapore to produce high-bandwidth memory, a type of dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM, used in AI applications. Dylan Butts, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026 Results from Samsung Electronics Co. last week showed that average selling prices for dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM, chips jumped more than 30% quarter-over-quarter, while non-volatile flash memory, or NAND, chips rose about 20%. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026 In particular the Marvell talk focused on a method for increasing the capacity and bandwidth of static random-access memory, SRAM. Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of random-access was in 1953

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Cite this Entry

“Random-access.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/random-access. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

random-access

adjective
ran·​dom-ac·​cess
ˌran-dəm-ˈak-ˌses
: permitting access to stored data in any order the user desires

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