Online Computer Dictionary

(Or "memory") A device into which data can be entered, in which it can be held, and from which it can be retrieved at a later time. The distinguishing characteristics of a device are its capacity (the number of bytes it can hold), its access speed, whether it is volatile (loses data when the power is turned off), removeable and/or writeable. Common examples are DRAM, hard disk, CD-ROM, Flash memory.