Meaning & use
long-term memory
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountabletechnical
The part of memory that stores information for a long time, from hours to a lifetime.
Grammar: Used without 'a' or a plural: Long-term memory is important. Not 'a long-term memory' when talking about the system in general.
Patterns
- in long-term memory
- long-term memory storage
- improve long-term memory
Studying regularly helps move information into long-term memory.
The disease affects long-term memory more than short-term memory.
Sleep plays a key role in forming long-term memory.
Common combinations
- long-term memory loss
- After the accident, he suffered from long-term memory loss.
- store in long-term memory
- The brain stores important events in long-term memory.
- long-term memory formation
- Researchers study long-term memory formation in animals.
Synonyms and how they differ
- permanent memory
- Less technical and not commonly used in psychology; long-term memory is the standard term.
Opposites
Word family
- short-term memory noun
- The memory system that holds a small amount of information for a short time.
- working memory noun
- The active part of memory used for thinking and problem-solving.
Commonly confused: long-term memory or short-term memory?
long-term memory vs short-term memory
Short-term memory lasts only seconds or minutes, while long-term memory can last for years or a lifetime.
Practice
After years of practice, the pianist could play the piece from ______.
Choose one answer.
Long-term memory fits because the ability to remember a piece after years is stored for a long time. Short-term memory is wrong because it only lasts seconds or minutes.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “long-term memory”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.