Library / English Dictionary |
RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible
Synonyms:
RAM; random-access memory; random access memory; random memory; read/write memory
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("random access memory" is a kind of...):
volatile storage (computer storage that is erased when the power is turned off)
Meronyms (parts of "random access memory"):
buffer; buffer storage; buffer store ((computer science) a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device; used to compensate for differences in the rate of flow of data between components of a computer system)
core; magnetic core ((computer science) a tiny ferrite toroid formerly used in a random access memory to store one bit of data; now superseded by semiconductor memories)
RAM disk ((computer science) a virtual drive that is created by setting aside part of the random-access memory to use as if it were a group of sectors)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "random access memory"):
core memory; magnetic core memory ((computer science) a computer memory consisting of an array of magnetic cores; now superseded by semiconductor memories)