What is the best description of short-term memory's capacity?

Short-term memory is best described as limited and temporary, which aligns precisely with the characteristics of this type of memory storage. Short-term memory typically holds a relatively small amount of information, commonly cited as around seven items or chunks, for a brief period—usually about 15 to 30 seconds—without rehearsal or active maintenance.

This limitation in both capacity and duration is a defining feature of short-term memory. It is designed to process and hold information for immediate use or manipulation, making it distinct from long-term memory, which has a much greater capacity and duration. Therefore, characterizing short-term memory as limited and temporary effectively captures its essence and function within the broader context of memory systems.