ROM is a type of primary memory in a computer. What does ROM stand for?

Concept

A computer-memory acronym expands into words that identify the memory’s defining access method, permitted operation, or storage behaviour. Primary memory includes RAM, whose name refers to access, and ROM, whose name refers to the operation normally permitted on its stored contents.

Application

ROM expands to Read Only Memory. “Read” means retrieving stored data, and “Only” indicates that ordinary operation is limited to retrieval rather than routine rewriting. ROM is non-volatile, so it commonly stores firmware and start-up instructions.

Contrast

• Random Only Memory combines an access-method term with a restriction term; the standard acronym built from “Random” is RAM, or Random Access Memory.

• Related Old Memory combines ordinary words for association and age, neither of which names a standard memory access method or permitted operation.

• Read Old Memory combines a data-retrieval term with a word about age; age is not the defining property named by ROM.

Result

Therefore, ROM stands for Read Only Memory.