Meaning & Definition of word "Memorize"

Memorize

/ˈmɛm.əˌraɪz/

verb:

  • 1. to commit to memory; to learn by heart.
    • Example: I need to memorize the poem for my English class.
  • 2. to learn something so that it can be recalled accurately later.
    • Example: He spent hours trying to memorize the historical dates for the exam.
  • 3. to consciously store information in one's memory for future use.
    • Example: The teacher asked us to memorize the vocabulary words for next week.
  • 4. to retain information in memory, often for performance or recall.
    • Example: In order to perform the play, the actors had to memorize their lines.

Etymology

From Middle French 'mémoriser', from Latin 'memorare' meaning 'to remember'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

learn by heart:

To memorize something completely.

a memory like an elephant:

To have a very good memory.

Related Words

memory:

The faculty of the mind by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved.

recall:

The act of retrieving information from memory.

Slang Meanings of memorize

Meaning: To cram

Example Sentence: I have to cram for my final exam tomorrow.

Meaning: To study intensely before an exam

Example Sentence: I pulled an all-nighter just to memorize everything.