memory device

Other forms: memory devices

Definitions of memory device

1. noun

   a device that preserves information for retrieval
   synonyms: storage device

   types:

   acoustic storage

   a storage device consisting of acoustic delay lines

   auxiliary storage, external storage, secondary storage

   a data storage device that is not the main memory of a computer

   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

   disc, disk, magnetic disc, magnetic disk

   (computer science) a memory device consisting of a flat plate on which information is stored

   mag tape, magnetic tape, tape

   memory device consisting of a long thin plastic strip coated with iron oxide; used to record audio or video signals or to store computer information

   computer memory, computer storage, memory, memory board, storage, store

   an electronic memory device

   optical disc, optical disk

   a disk coated with plastic that can store digital data as tiny pits etched in the surface; is read with a laser that scans the surface

   push-down storage, push-down store, stack

   a storage device that handles data so that the next item to be retrieved is the item most recently stored (LIFO)

   recording

   a storage device on which information (sounds or images) have been recorded

   register

   (computer science) memory device that is the part of computer memory that has a specific address and that is used to hold information of a specific kind

   accumulator, accumulator register

   (computer science) a register that has a built-in adder that adds an input number to the contents of the register

   audiotape

   magnetic tape for use in recording sound

   cache, memory cache

   (computer science) RAM memory that is set aside as a specialized buffer storage that is continually updated; used to optimize data transfers between system elements with different characteristics

   cassette tape

   a cassette that contains magnetic tape

   CD, compact disc, compact disk

   a digitally encoded recording on an optical disk that is smaller than a phonograph record; played back by a laser

   counter

   (computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers)

   cover, cover song, cover version

   a recording of a song that was first recorded or made popular by somebody else

   diskette, floppy, floppy disk

   a small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit; used to store data or programs for a microcomputer

   frame buffer

   (computer science) a buffer that stores the contents of an image pixel by pixel

   fixed disk, hard disc, hard disk

   a rigid magnetic disk mounted permanently in a drive unit

   index register

   (computer science) a register used to determine the address of an operand

   keyboard buffer

   a buffer that keeps track of key strokes until the computer is ready to respond to them

   magnetic stripe

   a short strip of magnetic tape attached to a credit card or debit card; it contains data that will tell a reading device who you are and what your account number is, etc.

   non-volatile storage, nonvolatile storage

   computer storage that is not lost when the power is turned off

   print buffer

   a buffer that stores data until the printer is ready

   ROM, fixed storage, read-only memory, read-only storage

   (computer science) memory whose contents can be accessed and read but cannot be changed

   real storage

   the main memory in a virtual memory system

   scratchpad

   (computer science) a high-speed internal memory used for temporary storage of preliminary information

   shift register

   (computer science) register in which all bits can be shifted one or more positions to the left or to the right

   audio, audio recording, sound recording

   a recording of acoustic signals

   tape, tape recording, taping

   a recording made on magnetic tape

   transcription

   a sound or television recording (e.g., from a broadcast to a tape recording)

   DVD, videodisc, videodisk

   a digital recording (as of a movie) on an optical disk that can be played on a computer or a television set

   video, video recording

   a recording of both the visual and audible components (especially one containing a recording of a movie or television program)

   videotape

   a relatively wide magnetic tape for use in recording visual images and associated sound

   virtual memory, virtual storage

   (computer science) memory created by using the hard disk to simulate additional random-access memory; the addressable storage space available to the user of a computer system in which virtual addresses are mapped into real addresses

   volatile storage

   computer storage that is erased when the power is turned off

   type of:

   device

   an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose