Word
kv cache
Phoneticskv·cache
Countable noun
Definition
compound. a memory system used by AI models to store information from earlier parts of a conversation. It helps the computer generate text faster because it does not have to recalculate everything from the beginning.
compound. a memory optimization technique in Transformer-based models that stores previously computed Key and Value tensors. By avoiding redundant computations for tokens already processed, it significantly reduces latency during the autoregressive decoding phase.
Examples
“The AI uses a kv cache to speed up its responses.”
“When generating long stories, the model relies on the kv cache to remember the context of the first chapter without re-processing every word.”
“Efficient management of the kv cache is critical for deploying large language models, as the memory requirements for these tensors scale linearly with sequence length and batch size.”
Examples
simple
“The AI uses a kv cache to speed up its responses.”
contextual
“When generating long stories, the model relies on the kv cache to remember the context of the first chapter without re-processing every word.”
complex
“Efficient management of the kv cache is critical for deploying large language models, as the memory requirements for these tensors scale linearly with sequence length and batch size.”
Usage
Typically used in technical contexts regarding machine learning and natural language processing.
Real-World Examples
“If you have ever pasted a long document into a chatbot and watched it crawl, or seen it refuse outright with an "out of memory" error, you have run into one of the most important and least-discussed pieces of machinery inside a large language model: the KV cache.” “The KV cache is the real bottleneck in LLM serving: 70-90% of GPU memory at long context.” Etymology
A compound term from the field of computer science. 'KV' stands for Key-Value, referring to the specific data structures in the attention mechanism of Transformer models, while 'cache' comes from the French 'cacher', meaning to hide or store away.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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