short-term memory

American  

noun

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

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short-term memory British  

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

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short-term memory Cultural  

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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of short-term memory

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

short-term memory

In the first stage of the disease, some people also experience short-term memory problems, depression, aggressive tendencies, and executive function issues, according to the CTE Society, a non-profit group.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

They also took objective tests measuring short-term memory, selective attention, and physical performance.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 25, 2026

Google last week announced a new compression algorithm called TurboQuant, which they say can shrink the amount of short-term memory that an AI model uses by at least six times.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026

Since a stroke damaged his short-term memory, Stellan receives prompts through an earpiece on set.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026

“Alby, do you have a short-term memory problem? I risked my life to save you out in the Maze—you’d be dead if it wasn’t for me!”

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner