Plain English Meaning

It is the part of memory that holds information for a short time right after you hear or see it, like a number you just looked up. If you do not repeat it or use it quickly, it fades.

Full Definition

The stage of memory that holds a small amount of information in conscious awareness for a brief period—typically around 30 seconds—unless it is actively rehearsed or transferred into long-term memory. It has limited capacity (commonly cited as roughly seven items, plus or minus two) and is used for immediate processing of information such as a clearance just received or a frequency just read.

Context Anchor

Seen in aviation instruction when discussing how students learn, remember, and handle information during training or cockpit tasks.

Derivation

“Short-term” means lasting for a short time. “Memory” comes from older Latin roots meaning mindful or remembering. Together, the phrase points to information the mind keeps only briefly, not information that has become lasting knowledge.