To memorize something means to learn it so thoroughly that you can recall it perfectly without any help. When you memorize your multiplication tables, the answers come to you automatically: you don't need to count on your fingers or look at a chart. When actors memorize their lines for a play, they practice until they can deliver every word without glancing at the script.

Memorizing requires repetition and focus. You might memorize a poem by reading it aloud many times, or memorize spelling words by writing them over and over. Different techniques work for different people: some visualize what they're learning, others use rhythm or songs, and some break information into smaller chunks.

There's an important difference between memorizing and understanding. You might memorize that 7 × 8 equals 56 without understanding why, or memorize a historical date without knowing what actually happened. The most powerful learning combines both: you understand the concept and have the facts memorized so they're ready when you need them. When a musician memorizes a piece, for example, they don't just remember which keys to press. They understand the music so deeply that their fingers know exactly where to go.