primary memory

[ˈpraɪmeri ˈmɛməri]
nounpl: primary memories
memória primária
1. The main internal memory of a computer used for immediate access to data and instructions during processing, typically including RAM and cache memory
The processor accesses data from primary memory much faster than from secondary storage devices.
O processador acessa os dados da memória primária muito mais rapidamente do que dos dispositivos de armazenamento secundário.
2. In psychology, the initial stage of memory that holds information for a very short duration, also known as working memory or short-term memory
Primary memory allows you to retain a phone number briefly before dialing it.
A memória primária permite que você retenha um número de telefone brevemente antes de discá-lo.
This is a technical term widely used in both American and Brazilian educational contexts, particularly in computer science and cognitive psychology courses. The term is standardized across English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking academic communities with minimal regional variation.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
main memoryinternal memoryworking memoryshort-term memoryRAM
Antonyms / Antônimos
secondary memoryexternal memorylong-term memorypermanent storage

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
memória primária
standard term used in Brazilian computer science and psychology education
Portugal
memória primária
same as Brazilian Portuguese, standard academic and technical term
Technical (Brazil)
memória principal
alternative technical term commonly used in IT environments

Related Words

RAMcache memorystorageCPUmemory hierarchyvolatile memory

Related Idioms & Phrases

commit to primary memory
in primary memory
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