memory allocation

noun

UK /ˈmɛməri ˌæləˈkeɪʃən/

US /ˈmɛməri ˌæləˈkeɪʃən/

Giving a computer some space to keep information it needs.

The program crashed because of a memory allocation error.

SYNONYMS

memory assignment storage allocation resource allocation memory reservation

RELATED WORDS

heap stack pointer garbage collection RAM

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The act of setting aside a block of computer memory for a program to use.

The developer checked the memory allocation before running the test.

3. The process by which an operating system assigns memory to running processes.

Poor memory allocation can slow down the whole system.

4. In programming, reserving space dynamically at runtime for data structures.

Dynamic memory allocation lets the list grow as needed.