A selected word is stored in a content addressable memory (CAM) by partitioning the word into at least two segments, the segments being individually lesser in width than the CAM but in aggregate greater than the width of the CAM. A first entry in the CAM comprises a predetermined prefix and a first of the segments and a second entry in the CAM comprises a second prefix, corresponding to the address of the first segment, and the second segment. A search key is similarly partitioned. In a first search cycle a first segment of the search key prefixed by the predetermined prefix is applied to the CAM and in the event of a matching entry a second segment of the search key, prefixed by a second prefix comprising an output address word identifying the matching entry, is applied to the CAM in a second search cycle.