Memory vs. Remembrance: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Memory is the faculty of the mind for storing and recalling information, while remembrance is the act of recalling or honoring past experiences or people.
Key Differences
Memory refers to the cognitive process by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved in the brain. Remembrance, on the other hand, implies a more deliberate act of bringing past experiences or people back to mind, often with an emotional or commemorative aspect.
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Dec 07, 2023
Memory operates on a neurological level, involving brain functions and neural pathways. Remembrance, in contrast, is often a conscious effort, sometimes taking the form of rituals, ceremonies, or personal reflection.
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Dec 07, 2023
Memory can be involuntary, with information coming to mind without deliberate effort. Remembrance, however, is typically voluntary, requiring a conscious decision to recall something or someone from the past.
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Memory encompasses a broad range of information types, including skills, facts, and experiences. Remembrance is usually associated with specific events, people, or periods, often carrying sentimental or historical significance.
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While memory is a more neutral term, remembrance often carries emotional weight, focusing on the importance of keeping the past alive in one's thoughts and often shared with others.
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Dec 07, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Cognitive process of storing and recalling information
Act of recalling or honoring past experiences or people
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Scope
Broad, includes skills, facts, experiences
Specific to events, people, periods
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Function
Neurological, involves brain functions
Often involves personal reflection or rituals
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Memory and Remembrance Definitions
Memory
Memory refers to something remembered from the past.
The memory of their first meeting always brought a smile to his face.
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Remembrance
Remembrance is the act of remembering and honoring the past.
The ceremony was held in remembrance of the fallen soldiers.
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Memory
Memory is the duration over which one can recall information.
His short-term memory was affected after the accident.
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Remembrance
Remembrance can refer to a commemorative ceremony or ritual.
A moment of silence was observed in remembrance.
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Dec 07, 2023
Memory
Memory denotes the part of a computer where data is stored for quick access.
The computer's memory was upgraded to improve performance.
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Remembrance
Remembrance can also mean a souvenir or memento.
He brought back a small trinket in remembrance of his journey.
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Memory
Memory can also imply a commemorative representation.
They erected a statue in memory of the war heroes.
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Memory
The act or an instance of remembering; recollection
Spent the afternoon lost in memory.
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Oct 19, 2023
Remembrance
Something serving to celebrate or honor the memory of a person or event; a memorial.
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Oct 19, 2023
Remembrance
The length of time over which one's memory extends
Events within my remembrance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Memory
The fact of being remembered; remembrance
Dedicated to their parents' memory.
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Memory
The period of time covered by the remembrance or recollection of a person or group of persons
Within the memory of humankind.
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Remembrance
Remembrances Greetings
Please give my remembrances to your mother.
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Oct 19, 2023
Remembrance
The act of remembering; a holding in mind, or bringing to mind; recollection.
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Oct 19, 2023
Remembrance
The state of being remembered, or held in mind; memory, recollection.
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Memory
(Statistics) The set of past events affecting a given event in a stochastic process.
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Oct 19, 2023
Memory
The capacity of a material, such as plastic or metal, to return to a previous shape after deformation.
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Remembrance
That which serves to keep in or bring to mind; a memento, a memorial, a souvenir, a token; a memorandum or note of something to be remembered.
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Oct 19, 2023
Memory
(Immunology) The ability of the immune system to respond faster and more powerfully to subsequent exposure to an antigen.
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Oct 19, 2023
Remembrance
The power of remembering; the reach of personal knowledge; the period over which one's memory extends.
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Memory
(uncountable) The ability of the brain to record information or impressions with the facility of recalling them later at will.
Memory is a facility common to all animals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Remembrance
(obsolete) Something to be remembered; an admonition, counsel, instruction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Memory
A record of a thing or an event stored and available for later use by the organism.
I have no memory of that event.
My wedding is one of my happiest memories.
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Memory
(computing) The part of a computer that stores variable executable code or data (RAM) or unalterable executable code or default data (ROM).
This data passes from the CPU to the memory.
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Remembrance
The act of remembering; a holding in mind, or bringing to mind; recollection.
Lest fierce remembrance wake my sudden rage.
Lest the remembrance of his grief should fail.
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Oct 19, 2023
Memory
The time within which past events can be or are remembered.
In recent memory
In living memory
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Remembrance
The state of being remembered, or held in mind; memory; recollection.
This, ever grateful, in remembrance bear.
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Memory
Which returns to its original shape when heated
Memory metal
Memory plastic
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Remembrance
That which serves to keep in or bring to mind; a memorial; a token; a memento; a souvenir; a memorandum or note of something to be remembered.
And on his breast a bloody cross he bore,The dear remembrance of his dying Lord.
Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake.
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Oct 19, 2023
Memory
A term of venery for a social group of elephants, normally called a herd.
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Memory
The faculty of the mind by which it retains the knowledge of previous thoughts, impressions, or events.
Memory is the purveyor of reason.
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Oct 19, 2023
Remembrance
Power of remembering; reach of personal knowledge; period over which one's memory extends.
Thee I have heard relating what was doneEre my remembrance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Memory
The reach and positiveness with which a person can remember; the strength and trustworthiness of one's power to reach and represent or to recall the past; as, his memory was never wrong.
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Oct 19, 2023
Memory
The actual and distinct retention and recognition of past ideas in the mind; remembrance; as, in memory of youth; memories of foreign lands.
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Memory
The time within which past events can be or are remembered; as, within the memory of man.
And what, before thy memory, was doneFrom the begining.
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Remembrance
Remembrance signifies a memory or keepsake.
She kept the photo as a remembrance of her travels.
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Dec 07, 2023
Memory
Something, or an aggregate of things, remembered; hence, character, conduct, etc., as preserved in remembrance, history, or tradition; posthumous fame; as, the war became only a memory.
The memory of the just is blessed.
That ever-living man of memory, Henry the Fifth.
The Nonconformists . . . have, as a body, always venerated her [Elizabeth's] memory.
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Remembrance
Remembrance implies the act of sending regards or greetings.
Please give my remembrance to your family.
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Memory
Something that is remembered;
Search as he would, the memory was lost
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Memory
The cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered;
He can do it from memory
He enjoyed remembering his father
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Memory
The power of retaining and recalling past experience;
He had a good memory when he was younger
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Memory
An electronic memory device;
A memory and the CPU form the central part of a computer to which peripherals are attached
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Memory
The area of cognitive psychology that studies memory processes;
He taught a graduate course on learning and memory
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Memory
Memory is the mental capacity for storing and recalling information.
Her memory of the event was crystal clear.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is memory in psychology?
In psychology, memory is the mental process of encoding, storing, and retrieving information.
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Can memory be improved?
Yes, memory can be improved with techniques like repetition, mnemonic devices, and healthy lifestyle choices.
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Are memories always accurate?
Memories can be subject to distortion and are not always entirely accurate.
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What's a photographic memory?
A photographic memory, or eidetic memory, is the ability to recall images, sounds, or objects in great detail.
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Can you provide an idiom involving "remembrance"?
There isn't a common idiomatic expression specifically involving "remembrance" comparable to "memory lane."
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What causes memory loss?
Memory loss can be caused by factors like aging, neurological conditions, stress, or lack of sleep.
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What is "memory loss," and what are its common causes?
Memory loss refers to the inability to recall past events or information. Causes include aging, medical conditions, and brain injuries.
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How does "memory lane" relate to nostalgia?
"Memory lane" is often associated with nostalgia because it involves recalling past experiences with sentimentality.
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Is "remembrance" always associated with the past?
Yes, "remembrance" typically involves recalling or commemorating events, people, or things from the past.
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Dec 07, 2023
Can memories be false or inaccurate?
Yes, memories can be influenced by perception, suggestion, or time, leading to inaccuracies or false memories.
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What is the significance of "remembrance" in history and culture?
Remembrance plays a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage and honoring historical events and figures.
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Can you provide examples of remembrance ceremonies?
Memorial services, anniversaries, and holidays like Memorial Day are examples of remembrance ceremonies honoring those who have passed away.
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What is the meaning of "a trip down memory lane"?
This phrase means revisiting and reminiscing about one's past experiences or memories.
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What is the significance of "in loving memory" in memorials?
"In loving memory" is a phrase often used in memorials to honor and remember someone who has passed away.
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Can memory exist without remembrance?
Yes, memory can exist without conscious remembrance. Memories may remain stored without being actively recalled.
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Dec 07, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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