Definition
Another term for a seed phrase or recovery phrase — the 12 or 24 words that back up your cryptocurrency wallet. 'Mnemonic' refers to a memory aid, as these words are easier to write and recall than raw private keys.
Why It Matters
Whether you see it called a seed phrase, recovery phrase, or mnemonic phrase — it all refers to the same thing: the master backup of your wallet that must be protected above all else.
Example
Hardware wallet manufacturers like Ledger refer to your backup words as a 'recovery phrase', while some wallets call it a 'mnemonic phrase' — both mean the same critical backup.
Related Terms
Seed Phrase
Private Key
Wallet
Hardware Wallet