memorisation

Everyday

1. The act of learning something so you can remember it exactly, such as a poem, times tables or spellings. tree →
2. Learning by heart. tree →

In the lessons

In school, memorisation is used for times tables, spelling lists, poems, number bonds and lines for a play. Teachers explain that memorisation is useful, but understanding why something is true matters too. Phrases: rote memorisation, memorisation techniques.

Examples

• Memorisation of times tables helps you do mental maths quickly. tree →
• Learning a poem by heart takes memorisation. tree →
• Repeating aloud helps memorisation. tree →
• Rote memorisation without understanding is not enough. tree →
• The actor used memorisation tricks to learn her lines. tree →
• Flashcards are good for memorisation of spellings. tree →

Note

Uncountable. UK, Australia, NZ, Ireland: memorisation (with «s»); US, Canada: memorization (with «z»). Verb: memorise / memorize. Pronounced mem-or-eye-ZAY-shun.