CD-ROM stands for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory.

Explanation:
- The acronym CD-ROM stands for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory. It refers to a type of optical storage medium that is used to store data in a digital format.
- CD-ROMs are similar in appearance to audio CDs, but they are designed to store computer data rather than audio recordings.
- The term "compact disc" refers to the physical format of the storage medium, which consists of a circular disc made of polycarbonate plastic and a reflective layer of aluminum or gold.
- The term "read-only memory" indicates that the data stored on a CD-ROM cannot be erased or modified after it has been written. CD-ROMs are known for their non-volatile nature, meaning that the data remains intact even when the disc is not powered or connected to a computer.
- CD-ROMs are commonly used for distributing software, multimedia content, and large amounts of data. They have a storage capacity of up to 700 megabytes (MB) and can hold various types of data, including text, images, audio, and video files.
- CD-ROMs are read by optical disc drives, which use a laser beam to scan the surface of the disc and retrieve the stored data. As the laser reads the disc, it detects changes in the reflectivity of the surface, which correspond to the binary data stored on the disc.
- CD-ROMs are widely compatible with different computer systems and can be read by most modern computers and devices that have an optical disc drive. However, they are read-only, meaning that users cannot write or modify data on a CD-ROM without using specialized equipment.
- CD-ROMs have been widely used since their introduction in the 1980s and have played a significant role in the storage and distribution of digital content. However, with the advent of other storage technologies like USB flash drives and cloud storage, the use of CD-ROMs has declined in recent years.