What does memorization mean?
Memorization is the deliberate process of committing information to memory so that it can later be recalled. It most often describes learning vocabulary, facts, formulas, or passages through rehearsal, study, or repeated practice. The word is usually neutral, but educational discussions sometimes associate it with an emphasis on mechanical recall rather than understanding, application, or durable retention. It is commonly used in the uncountable sense, as in the statement that memorization takes time, while countable uses can refer to individual exercises or assignments. The term is closely related to memory, but the two are not interchangeable: memorization describes how information is learned, while memory refers to what is retained and later available. This distinction is useful when discussing study methods because it separates the activity of learning by heart from the broader cognitive capacity and store of retained information. Memorization can support larger forms of knowledge when combined with comprehension, meaningful association, and use in context.
nounThe process or act of committing information to memory for later recall, especially through repeated study or rehearsal.
- The process or act of committing information to memory so that it can later be recalled.
"Careful memorization of the irregular verbs helped her write more confidently."
"Memorization alone was not enough; she also needed to understand how the ideas fitted together."
"The drill requires rapid memorization of several thousand words."
The plural is grammatical but uncommon; the singular form is normally used when referring to the general process.
"The students' final memorizations were scheduled for Friday."
Memorization is the work of getting information in; memory is what you have once it is there.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does memorization come from?
The English verb memorize comes from Latin memor, meaning “mindful” or “remembering,” within the same Latin family as memoria, “memory.” From this root English also has memory, memorial, and memorable. The process noun memorization was formed by adding the suffix -ization to memorize, naming the act or process of committing something to memory for later recall.
How memorization is actually used
Neutral and appropriate in academic and educational prose. It is usually treated as an uncountable process noun, although plural forms are occasionally used for separate memorization tasks.
Easily confused with memorization
Memorization is the process of learning information, whereas memory is the capacity to retain and later recall information.