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Glite Dictionary
read-only memory

read-only memory

1 4.4
A small computer chip that holds information you can use but cannot change
  • noun
  • /ˈriːdˌoʊnli ˈmɛməri/
  • Specialized
translation icon : memoria de solo lectura
  • The system used 24 I/O ports, 32 kB of RAM, and 2 MB of memory on an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory).
  • read-only memory (ROM)
  • read-only memory (CD-ROM)

Examples

  • This ensures compliance with LSSD requirements for scan, clock control, random-access memory (RAM), and read-only memory (ROM) access requirements.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W), and DVD.

    Blog text (19)

  • And even in read-only memory, it must be read by electrical signal with changes in electrical current.

    Blog text (17)

  • An alternative to dialing up MEDLINE is to use it on a personal computer equipped with a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) reader.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Be sure to record as CDDA (digital audio); otherwise, you will be producing a CD-ROM (read-only memory) that may be playable on a computer, but not on a compact disc player.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Compact disk (CD), optical read-only memory (OROM), and write once, read many (WORM) disks usually require 0.5 mW of laser read power.

    Academic text (1996)

  • Medical knowledge bases can be stored on a central computer, with remote access by telephone or network links, or can be duplicated on floppy disk or compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) and installed on personal computers.

    Academic text (1991)

  • The processes of the illustrative embodiments may be performed by processor 206 using computer-implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory such as, for example, main memory 208, read-only memory 224, or in one or more peripheral devices.

    Blog text (19)

  • The game console uses read-only memory to store essential system files that cannot be altered.

  • Important firmware is stored in read-only memory, ensuring it remains unchanged during updates.

Synonyms

ROM
vsread-only memory
  • Specialized
31 5.2

Memory in a computer you can read but not write that keeps information when power is off

describes being readable but not changeable without noting power retention
read-only storage
vsread-only memory
  • Specialized
4.3

A part of a computer where information can be looked at but not changed

uses the memory term for the same non writable storage
read-only memory chip
vsread-only memory
  • Specialized
3.7

A small computer chip that stores data you cannot change

refers to the memory type rather than its physical chip form
fixed storage
vsread-only memory
  • Specialized
4.9

Computer memory you can read but cannot change

says contents cannot be changed but not who is prevented from doing so

Antonyms

read/write memory
  • Specialized
4.2

A part of a computer that stores data for a short time the system can read and change while running

How Writable

read/write memory
  • Specialized
4.2
flash memory
  • Specialized
3 4.2
read-only memory
  • Specialized
1 4.4

Surface Forms

read-only memory singular
read-only memories plural

Morphology

read-only + memory

This is a transparently compositional compound: 'read-only' (can be read but not written) modifies 'memory' (storage). A B1 learner who knows 'read', 'only' and 'memory' can reasonably infer it means storage whose contents can be read but not changed, and the construction follows normal English modifier + noun patterns common in other languages' technical vocabulary.

Etymology

The term read-only memory comes from the simple picture of a book you can read but not write in, where the words stay the same. So the phrase means computer memory you can 'read' but not change, used to keep important programs or settings.