memorize

Memorize is a verb meaning to commit information or a skill to memory so that it can be recalled, typically through deliberate practice and repetition. It is distinct from understanding or applying knowledge, though memorized material can aid those processes.

The word derives from French memorer, meaning to remember, from Latin memorare, related to memory.

Common methods used to memorize include spaced repetition, which schedules reviews at expanding intervals; retrieval practice, which strengthens memory by testing recall; and mnemonic devices such as acronyms, acrostics, the method of loci, peg systems, rhymes, and vivid imagery. Other techniques include chunking, which organizes items into meaningful units; elaborative encoding, which links new information to existing knowledge; and multimodal encoding, which engages multiple senses or formats.

Memorization has broad applications, including studying for exams, acquiring vocabulary in a new language, learning procedures or performances, and retaining speeches or presentations.

Limitations and considerations: memorization emphasizes recall rather than understanding, so it should be integrated with comprehension and transferable skills. Individual differences, such as prior knowledge and working memory, affect effectiveness. Overemphasis on rote memory can hinder flexible use of information, so combining memorization with comprehension, application, and reflection is generally advised.