ASL STEM

Definition

Acronym for random access memory. Semiconductor-based memory that can be read and written by the central processing unit (CPU) or other hardware devices. The storage locations can be accessed in any order. Note that the various types of ROM memory are capable of random access but cannot be written to. The term RAM, however, is generally understood to refer to volatile memory that can be written to as well as read.

Source: Microsoft Computer Dictionary. 5th ed. Redmond, Wash. : Microsoft Press, 2002. Print.