storage
gb/stˈɔɹɪd͡ʒ/ us/stˈɔɹɪd͡ʒ/
A2
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
action
1
Keeping things for future use
When you put things away so you can use them later.
Usage pattern:
[something] is in storage
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'storage' with 'store'. 'Storage' is the noun for the act or place; 'store' can be a verb or a shop.
Synonyms
keeping (A general term for retaining something, not necessarily in a specific place.)
|
storing (The action form of 'storage', focusing on the process rather than the state.)
Antonyms
removal (The act of taking something away instead of keeping it.)
|
disposal (Getting rid of something permanently rather than keeping it.)
Collocations
storage space
|data storage
|storage unit
|storage facility
|storage capacity
Themes
daily life
|business
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We need more storage space in the kitchen.
- The boxes are in storage until we move.
- Cloud storage allows you to save files online.
- The museum has a large storage area for artifacts.
- He rented a storage unit for his furniture.
Learner examples
- I put my clothes in storage.
- We need more storage in this room.
- She has a storage box under her bed.
- The files are in storage at the office.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
2
Retention of digital data
When a computer or device keeps information so you can use it later.
Usage pattern:
digital storage of [data]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'storage' with 'memory'; in computing, they have different technical meanings.
Synonyms
memory (In computing, refers to temporary or permanent data holding, but can also mean short-term RAM.)
|
disk space (Specifically refers to available capacity on a disk drive.)
Antonyms
deletion (Removing data from a device.)
|
loss (Unintentional removal or corruption of stored data.)
Collocations
data storage
|cloud storage
|storage device
|storage capacity
|external storage
Themes
technology
|computing
|science
Examples
- The phone has 256 GB of storage.
- Cloud storage makes it easy to share files.
- We need more storage capacity for our servers.
- External storage devices are useful for backups.
- Data storage technology has advanced rapidly.
Learner examples
- My phone has little storage left.
- I use cloud storage for my photos.
- This computer has big storage.
- We need more storage on the server.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Place where items are kept
A place where you keep things until you use them.
Synonyms
warehouse (Usually refers to a large commercial storage building.)
|
repository (Formal term for a place where items are stored, often documents or data.)
Antonyms
display area (A place where items are shown rather than stored.)
Collocations
storage room
|storage locker
|self-storage
|storage shed
Themes
daily life
|business
|housing
|daily_life
Examples
- The tools are in the storage room.
- He rented a self-storage unit downtown.
- We keep old files in the storage closet.
- Bikes can be kept in the building's storage area.
Learner examples
- The toys are in the storage box.
- He has a small storage room.
- We keep food in the storage area.
- My bike is in the storage shed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
storage
IPA
GB/stˈɔɹɪd͡ʒ/
US/stˈɔɹɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
stor - age (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (stor)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: storage
- Plural: storage, storages
Word family
Forms
storages
noun
Core family
store
verb A1
Related words
storeroom
noun
storehouse
noun
Advanced or less common
storable
adjective
Expressions
cloud storage
1/klˈaʊd stˈɔɹɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
Online system for storing data
Keeping computer files on the internet instead of your own device.
Examples
- I use cloud storage to back up my documents.
- Cloud storage lets you access your files from anywhere.
in storage
1/ˈɪn stˈɔɹɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Kept until needed later
When something is being kept in a place and not being used now.
Examples
- Most of our furniture is in storage until we move into the new house.
- The paintings are currently in storage at the museum.
self-storage
1/sˈɛlf stˈɔɹɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Rented private space for items
A place you pay to keep your things, usually in a locked room or box.
Examples
- We rented a self-storage unit while traveling abroad.
- Self-storage is useful when moving houses.
storage space
1/stˈɔɹɪd͡ʒ spˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
Available area for keeping things
The amount of room you have to keep things until you use them.
Examples
- The apartment has plenty of storage space for clothes and books.
- We need more storage space in the kitchen.