memory span

noun

The number of items, usually words or numbers, that a person can retain and recall. Memory span is a test of working memory (short-term memory).

“He noticed that the memory span of young adults was around seven elements”

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Meanings

nounmemory span (plural memory spans)

plural memory spans

  1. The number of items, usually words or numbers, that a person can retain and recall. Memory span is a test of working memory (short-term memory).

    He noticed that the memory span of young adults was around seven elements

Cite this entry
APA

memory span. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/memory%20span

MLA

“memory span.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/memory%20span. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “memory span,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/memory%20span.

Source: memory span on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.