reference counting

noun

The technique of storing the number of handles, pointers, or references to a resource such as a block of memory, disk space, or an object, so that the system can determine when the resource is no longer in use.

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Meanings

nounreference counting (uncountable)
  1. uncountablecomputingThe technique of storing the number of handles, pointers, or references to a resource such as a block of memory, disk space, or an object, so that the system can determine when the resource is no longer in use.

Translations

Finnish viitelaskenta
  • viitelaskentaact of making a count
German Referenzzählung
  • Referenzzählungact of making a count
Norwegian Bokmål referansetelling
  • referansetellingact of making a count
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

Source: reference counting on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.