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• random access
  random access

  noun

  the capacity of a videodisc or compact disc player that allows the user to select and replay any portion without starting at the beginning.
• random-access
  random-access

  adjective

  direct-access.

random access

¹ American  

noun

1. the capacity of a videodisc or compact disc player that allows the user to select and replay any portion without starting at the beginning.

2. availability, as of a service or facility, whenever needed or desired.

   an executive's need for random access to legal experts.

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random-access ² American  

[ran-duhm-ak-ses] / ˈræn dəmˈæk sɛs /

adjective

Computers.

1. direct-access.

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random access British  

noun

1. another name for direct access

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Etymology

Origin of random access

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

random access random-access

Memory prices so far this year have soared 80%-90% from late last year, according to market researcher Counterpoint’s data, driven by a sharp price increase in dynamic random access memory used in general-purpose servers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 11, 2026

Ram - or random access memory - is used to store code while you use a device.

From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2026

He expects prices for dynamic random access memory--a type of semiconductor--to weigh on the Japanese company significantly in the second half of 2026.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 11, 2025

DRAM, or dynamic random access memory, allows a processor to store and rapidly access the data and program instructions it is actively using.

From Barron's ● Dec. 10, 2025

The TRS-80 Mini-Disk System uses sequential or random access.

From Radio Shack TRS-80 Expansion Interface: Operator's Manual Catalog Numbers: 26-1140, 26-1141, 26-1142 by Anonymous

The crunch has been nicknamed "RAMaggedon" after the components called RAM, or "random-access memory".

From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026

But Deutsche Bank analyst Janardan Menon specifically asked about rising dynamic random-access memory prices — and the fact that Ericsson’s Chinese equipment rivals can source memory chips from Chinese suppliers at lower costs.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

Market research firm TrendForce says prices for the type of DRAM—dynamic random-access memory—used in high-end smartphones will surge as much as 83% in the current quarter compared with three months ago.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 19, 2026

The current upcycle for dynamic random-access memory is in its 12th quarter, he noted, while in 2014 and 2018 it lasted eight to nine quarters.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 15, 2026

The team connected the layers using vertical metal interconnects and successfully demonstrated three-dimensional logic circuits as well as static random-access memory cells.

From Science Daily ● May 30, 2026