secondary storage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2/C1Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “secondary storage” mean?
Non-volatile, long-term data storage in a computer system, not directly accessed by the CPU and used to hold programs and files permanently.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Non-volatile, long-term data storage in a computer system, not directly accessed by the CPU and used to hold programs and files permanently.
Any digital storage medium that retains data when the power is off, providing larger but slower capacity than primary memory (RAM). In broader contexts, it can refer to any auxiliary or backup storage solution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The compound noun structure is identical.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American technical documentation due to market size, but the term is standard globally in IT.
Grammar
How to Use “secondary storage” in a Sentence
[secondary storage] + [verb: stores, holds, retains] + [data/files][system/computer] + [has/requires] + [secondary storage][data] + [is saved/backed up to] + [secondary storage]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “secondary storage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The secondary-storage device was faulty.
- We examined the secondary-storage requirements.
American English
- The secondary storage device was faulty.
- We examined the secondary storage requirements.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in IT procurement and infrastructure planning (e.g., 'We need to increase our secondary storage capacity for the new database.').
Academic
Used in computer science and information technology textbooks and lectures to explain memory hierarchy.
Everyday
Rare. Might be simplified to 'hard drive' or 'storage' (e.g., 'I need more storage for my photos.').
Technical
Core term in computing. Precisely distinguishes storage types (e.g., 'The OS pages data from RAM to secondary storage.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “secondary storage”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “secondary storage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secondary storage”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'I have two secondary storages').
- Confusing it with 'primary memory' or 'cache memory'.
- Using in non-technical contexts where 'hard drive' or 'USB stick' is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A hard drive is one common TYPE of secondary storage (an HDD or SSD). Secondary storage is the general category, which also includes USB drives, CDs, and cloud storage.
It's called 'secondary' in the traditional memory hierarchy because the CPU does not directly execute instructions from it. Data must first be loaded into 'primary' storage (RAM) for the CPU to use it.
Yes, in modern computing, remote cloud storage serves the same functional purpose as local secondary storage (non-volatile, long-term data holding), though it is accessed over a network.
No. While technologies change (e.g., from tape to SSD), the fundamental need for non-volatile, high-capacity, cost-effective storage persists. The term remains relevant in system architecture.
Non-volatile, long-term data storage in a computer system, not directly accessed by the CPU and used to hold programs and files permanently.
Secondary storage is usually technical/formal in register.
Secondary storage: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsekəndri ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsekənderi ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of your brain's active thoughts as PRIMARY storage (RAM) and your written notes in a notebook as SECONDARY storage – you can keep much more in the notes, but accessing it is slower.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LIBRARY or WAREHOUSE (large, permanent, organized, but slower to retrieve from) compared to a DESK (primary storage) where you work.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT an example of secondary storage?