1) acronym for read only memory
2) a big sized file that, when loaded into a console emulator, plays a video game that's usually licensed

When you eat dirt for the first time and leave your family to build a shack in the woods

Literally: Read Only Memory.
ROMs are games that you can use on downloaded emulators. These games are usually licensed. A lot of good ROMs (unpopular games, games exclusively released in Japan) can be quite hard to find, knowing how most sites give you a ton of bullshit and forced voting, but no ROMs. Emulation and ROMs are the only way I have access to great Japanese SNES games such as Super Wrestle Angels, YuuYuu Hakusho Tokubetuhen, Sanrio World Smash Ball!, and Super Puyo Puyo 2 Remix.

When used as a story tag it is short for romantic elements are involved.

read only memory
data that cant be modified

the world ROM has now been commonly used to describe various games that operate on various emulators

In Canada, the ROM is the Royal Ontario Museum.

Read Only Memory derivative. Office speak (IT slang) for people who will never "get it". Like a ROM chip you can't write to, they cannot have new thoughts, they only spew back what has been programmed into them. Unable to write to their brain.