memoization
n.n. a technique in computer programming that makes code run faster by remembering the results of difficult calculations. Instead of doing the same work again, the computer just looks up the answer it saved earlier.
n. an optimization technique used primarily to speed up computer programs by storing the results of expensive function calls and returning the cached result when the same inputs occur again.
The developer used memoization to make the app load much faster.
By implementing memoization, the software team reduced the execution time of the complex data processing script from minutes to seconds.
In functional programming, memoization serves as a powerful tool for optimizing recursive algorithms, effectively transforming an exponential time complexity into a linear one by avoiding redundant sub-problem evaluations.
Coined in 1968 by Donald Michie. Derived from the Latin memorandum, meaning 'to be remembered', with the suffix -ization.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Commonly used in the context of dynamic programming and algorithm design.
Last updated July 22, 2026