memory span: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “memory span” mean?
The number of items, such as words or numbers, a person can hold in short-term memory at one time and immediately recall correctly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The number of items, such as words or numbers, a person can hold in short-term memory at one time and immediately recall correctly.
A cognitive measure reflecting the capacity of working memory; often used in psychology, education, and neuroscience to assess immediate recall ability. Figuratively, it can refer to the length of time or amount of information someone can reliably hold in mind.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or usage. Spelling of related words follows regional conventions (e.g., BrE 'memorise' vs AmE 'memorize').
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both dialects, confined primarily to academic and professional contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “memory span” in a Sentence
have a [adjective] memory spantest/measure the memory spana memory span of [number]memory span for [type of information]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “memory span” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The researcher will span the participant's memory using a digit recall task.
- We are spanning their auditory memory capacities.
American English
- The clinician will memory-span the patient using standardized lists.
- They are testing to span the working memory of the group.
adverb
British English
- He performed memory-span weakly on the test.
- The items were recalled memory-span correctly.
American English
- The list was presented memory-span fashion.
- She recalled them memory-span perfectly.
adjective
British English
- The memory-span task was challenging.
- We analysed the memory-span results.
American English
- The memory-span assessment is part of the battery.
- She recorded the memory-span data.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used in training or HR contexts discussing cognitive assessments for roles requiring high information processing.
Academic
Core term in psychology, cognitive science, and education research. Used in studies on learning, aging, and cognitive disorders.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be humorously referenced ('my memory span for instructions is about two steps').
Technical
Precise term with operational definitions for testing (e.g., 'forward digit span'). Key in neuropsychological assessment and cognitive modelling.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “memory span”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “memory span”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “memory span”
- Using 'memory span' to mean how far back in time you can remember (that's 'memory length' or 'long-term recall').
- Confusing it with 'attention span'. Attention span is about sustained focus; memory span is about simultaneous holding of discrete items.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The classic finding is '7 plus or minus 2' items (like digits or words), though this varies by the type of material and individual differences.
Yes, to some extent through strategies like chunking (grouping items into meaningful units) and practice, but there is a presumed biological limit to pure short-term storage capacity.
No. Memory span is one specific component of cognitive functioning and is correlated with, but not equivalent to, broader measures of intelligence (IQ).
It's crucial for tasks requiring mental manipulation of information, such as mental arithmetic, language comprehension, reasoning, and following multi-step instructions.
The number of items, such as words or numbers, a person can hold in short-term memory at one time and immediately recall correctly.
Memory span is usually formal/technical in register.
Memory span: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmem.ər.i spæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmem.ɚ.i spæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He has a memory span like a goldfish.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BRIDGE SPAN: it can only hold so much weight before collapsing. Your MEMORY SPAN is the 'bridge' in your mind that can only hold so many pieces of information at once before they fall away.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEMORY IS A CONTAINER (of limited capacity); ATTENTION IS A SPOTLIGHT (illuminating items within the span).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'memory span' most specifically refer to?