This invention provides a memory device capable of high-speed operation. One embodiment of the memory device includes a
bit line, a source line, a first unit
transistor between the
bit line and the source line, a second unit
transistor between the first unit
transistor and the
bit line, a third unit transistor between the first unit transistor and the source line, a first word line connected to the gate of the first unit transistor, a second word line connected to the gate of the second unit transistor, and a third word line connected to the gate of the third unit transistor. A first
voltage is applied to the source line during a first period. At a first moment within the first period, a second
voltage greater than or equal to the
threshold voltage of the first, second, and third unit transistors is applied to at least one of the second and third word lines. At a second moment later than the first moment within the first period, a third
voltage greater than or equal to the
threshold voltage of the first, second, and third unit transistors is applied to the first word line.