short-term memory

short-term memory

Retention of information that undergoes little processing or interpretation and can be recalled for only a few seconds. Short-term memory can retain about seven items.

Note: A popular example of short-term memory is the ability to remember a seven-digit telephone number just long enough to dial a call. In most cases, unless the number is consciously repeated several times, it will be forgotten.

Main Entry: short–term memory
Function: noun
: memory that involves recall of information for a relatively short time (as a few seconds) <short-termmemory is involved when a phone number is remembered just long enough to dial it> —abbreviation STM

short-term memory n.

Abbr. STM The phase of the memory process in which stimuli that have been recognized and registered are stored briefly.