Abstract: An associative memory system for retrieving a key word related to a code word comprising a first random access memory which can be read from and written into and is sized to accommodate at least m address-bits and a second random access memory means which can be read from and written into and is sized to accommodate at least (n+p) address-bits. An addressing means is connected to the first and second memory means for providing a first portion of m bits of the code word to the first memory means and a second portion of n bits of the code word to the second memory means. The first memory means is adapted to provide a response word of p bits to the second memory means if the first memory means determines that the first portion of the code word corresponds to a word stored in said first memory means. The second memory means is adapted to provide the key word on an output line if the second memory means determines that a combination of the n and p bits corresponds to a word stored in said second memory means.