short-term memory

noun

1. information retained in the brain and retrievable from it over a brief span of time (long-term memory ).

short-term memory

noun

1. psychol that section of the memory storage system of limited capacity (approximately seven items) that is capable of storing material for a brief period of time Compare long-term memory

short-term memory

1. Retention of information that undergoes little processing or interpretation and can be recalled for only a few seconds. Short-term memory can retain about seven items.

A popular example of short-term memory is the ability to remember a seven-digit telephone number just long enough to dial a call. In most cases, unless the number is consciously repeated several times, it will be forgotten.

Word History and Origins

Origin of short-term memory¹

First recorded in 1965–70