virtual memory

American  

[vur-choo-uhl mem-uh-ree] / ˈvɜr tʃu əl ˈmɛm ə ri /

noun

1. Computers. Also called virtual storage. a system extending addressable memory beyond main storage through the use of secondary storage, managed by system software in such a way that programs can treat all of it together as addressable main storage.

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virtual memory Scientific  

/ vûr′cho̅o̅-əl /

1. A memory management system in a computer that temporarily stores inactive parts of the content RAM on a disk, restoring it to RAM when quick access to it is needed. This allows software to operate as though the computer has more RAM than it actually does.

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Other Word Forms

• virtual-memory adjective

Example Sentences

But bear in mind that if you don’t add RAM to your computer and the operating system is using your SSD as virtual memory, you might conceivably be hitting that ceiling much sooner.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 26, 2022

When Windows runs out of RAM for running programs it swaps them to virtual memory reserved on the computer’s drive.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2018

Paul Mah says that disabling virtual memory is one of six ways to get a better laptop experience.

From New York Times • Jun. 13, 2011

Both modules increase a computer's capacity using "virtual memory," a memory-expansion technique considerably more time consuming than true memory compression.

From Time Magazine Archive

A lyric-writing old gent named Turnlung is also an expert�a virtual memory bank of death and that other equable state, prenatal life.

From Time Magazine Archive