recovered memory

noun

: a memory of a traumatic event (such as sexual abuse) experienced typically during childhood that is forgotten and then recalled many years later that is sometimes held to be an invalid or false remembrance generated by outside influence

Examples of recovered memory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Given the ease with which researchers can create false childhood memories, one of the unforeseen consequences of these changes is that falsely recovered memories of abuse might find their way into court – potentially leading to unfounded accusations and wrongful convictions. —Gabrielle Principe, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025

Even more unusual, Eileen told the police that in her recovered memory, the murderer was her own father, George Franklin. —BostonGlobe.com, 4 Oct. 2021

Never before had recovered memory been used in a criminal prosecution. —Lorraine Ali Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2021

Doesn't mean there are lot of instances where recovered memory was false and innocent people went to prison. —Fox News, 25 Sep. 2018

Saved from suicide by Gordon Dunn (Martin Donovan), a psychologist who has invented a machine that recovers memories, Sam turns into an amateur sleuth when Dunn also winds up expired. —Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2017

Spurred on by the controversy over recovered memory, other cognitive scientists found that false memory is a normal phenomenon. —Kat McGowan, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for recovered memory

• emery

Medical Definition

recovered memory

noun

: a forgotten memory of a traumatic event (as sexual abuse) experienced typically during childhood and recalled many years later that is sometimes held to be an invalid or false remembrance generated by outside influence