# ROM

/ˈɹɑm/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rom
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. computer memory

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

Stands for Read-Only Memory. It is a type of computer memory that keeps its data even when the power is turned off.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Read-Only Memory. A type of non-volatile storage used in computers and other electronic devices that cannot be easily modified.

- The computer's basic instructions are stored in the ROM so it can start up.
- The system BIOS is typically stored on a ROM chip to ensure that the essential boot instructions remain intact even during power loss.

### 2. video game file

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

A digital file that contains the data from an old video game cartridge, used to play the game on a computer.

For teachers: A software image or data file containing a copy of the data from a read-only memory chip, typically from a video game cartridge.

- He downloaded a ROM of his favorite childhood game to play on his laptop.
- Legal discussions regarding emulation often hinge on whether the user personally owns the physical cartridge from which the ROM was extracted.

### 3. a person

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

A member of the Romani people.

For teachers: An ethnonym for a member of the Romani people. Often used as a self-designation within the community.

- The festival celebrated the rich musical traditions of the Rom.
- Scholars of linguistics have traced the origins of the Rom through the evolution of their unique Indo-Aryan language.

### 4. medical movement

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for Range of Motion. It describes how far you can move a part of your body, like your arm or leg.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Range of Motion. The full movement potential of a joint, usually measured in degrees during a physical exam.

- After the injury, the athlete had to do exercises to improve his ROM.
- The physical therapist noted a significant decrease in the patient's ROM following the surgical procedure on the shoulder joint.

### 5. cost estimate

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

Stands for Rough Order of Magnitude. It is a very quick, early guess of how much a project will cost.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Rough Order of Magnitude. An informal cost estimate used in the early stages of a project for budgeting purposes.

- The manager asked for a ROM before we started the detailed planning.
- We provided a ROM to the client to determine if the project was financially viable before committing to a full audit.

### 6. text style

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

A short way to write 'roman', which is a style of plain, upright letters in printing.

For teachers: Abbreviation for roman. Refers to the standard upright typeface style as opposed to italic or bold.

- The main text of the book is set in 12-point ROM type.
- The style guide specifies that all Latin species names must be in italics, while the rest of the text remains in ROM.

## Examples

- The computer's basic instructions are stored in the ROM.
- The technician explained that the firmware is hard-coded into the ROM to prevent accidental deletion by the user.
- While modern systems often use flash memory for updates, traditional ROM chips were essential for housing the immutable boot instructions required to initialize hardware during the power-on self-test.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.