short-term memory

Plural

short-term memories

the temporary storage of information that is currently being used or actively processed by the brain, typically for a few seconds to a few minutes

Short-term memory allows us to remember a phone number long enough to dial it.
The ability to hold a conversation relies on short-term memory to process incoming information.
Studying in short bursts can help improve retention in short-term memory.
Forgetting items on a shopping list is a common example of short-term memory lapses.
Short-term memory is essential for completing tasks that require immediate recall of instructions or details.

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