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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

random access random-access

Astra is designed to process more complex tasks and the share prices of memory chip manufacturers reacted to optimism that it will reinforce demand for high-bandwidth memory, dynamic random access memory and graphics processing units.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 7, 2026

Memory prices have soared 80%-90% on quarter in 1Q so far, according to 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. 6, 2026

Micron mostly makes working or volatile memory, called dynamic random access memory, or DRAM.

From Barron's ● Jan. 2, 2026

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

From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2026

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

Arcuri expects Micron to be able to fulfill about 60% of demand for dynamic random-access memory next year, while bit demand for server double-data rate memory will likely grow about 80% in that time frame.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

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

From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026

Prices of dynamic random-access memory, or DRAM, have skyrocketed owing to high demand from artificial-intelligence companies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

Investors have grown concerned about the durability of the memory-cycle boom, but Morgan Stanley analyst Shawn Kim noted that dynamic random-access memory remains a key bottleneck to the artificial-intelligence build-out.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 11, 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

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