memorization
noun
mem·o·ri·za·tion
ËŒme-mÉ™-rÉ™-ˈzÄ-shÉ™n 
ˌme-mə-(ˌ)rī-,
ËŒmem-rÉ™-
: the act or process of memorizing something : commitment of something to memory
The current emphasis on written exams and memorization encourages what is referred to bitterly by many educators as "teaching to the test."—
Alison Lurie
Alison LurieSeeking a balance to his daily diet of science and memorization of facts, he pursues music avocationally.—Judith Wynn Halsted
Judith Wynn HalstedCommon core standards, which Alabama adopted in 2010 and implemented in 2012, emphasize thinking mathematically rather than memorization of formulas.—Trisha Powell Crain
Trisha Powell CrainExamples of memorization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is not about memorization.
—Jared Perlo, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
Adults are also more likely to rely on deliberate strategies, such as memorization, to learn a language.
—Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026
In any case, many in East Asia complain that their systems work children too hard, robbing them of fun, and focus too much on memorization and not enough on creativity.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to learn about great poetry—both classic and contemporary—through memorization, performance, and competition.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for memorization
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Jared Perlo, NBC news, 26 Mar. 2026
Adults are also more likely to rely on deliberate strategies, such as memorization, to learn a language.
—Karen Stollznow, The Conversation, 26 Feb. 2026
In any case, many in East Asia complain that their systems work children too hard, robbing them of fun, and focus too much on memorization and not enough on creativity.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Poetry Out Loud encourages high school students to learn about great poetry—both classic and contemporary—through memorization, performance, and competition.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for memorization
Cite this Entry
“Memorization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memorization. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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