DRAM

Short for Dynamic Random Access Memory. A simple type of RAM that stores data in capacitors contained in an IC chip. Each bit of information is stored in a separate capacitor and uses one transistor. The RAM is said to be “dynamic” because the electrical charges held in the capacitors (and representing the data) slowly leaks away and must be recharged. When the power supply is turned off, the data stored in the capacitors is lost. See also “volatile memory.”