big data

American  

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. Computers. data sets, typically consisting of billions or trillions of records, that are so vast and complex that they require new and powerful computational resources to process.

   Supercomputers can analyze big data to create models of global climate change.

---

big data British  

plural noun

1. computing data held in such large amounts that it can be difficult to process

---

Etymology

Origin of big data

First recorded in 1975–80, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

“They see the future in, or at least their interest is in, big data centers … not in addition to, but in place of, training human minds to be leading the way,” Stassun said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

“If you are banking on never getting caught in the past for not filing, you’re banking on an old system,” Whatley said, noting the rise of big data and artificial intelligence at the IRS.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

"This work moves us further into the big data era of capturing, analyzing and sharing organismal shape and form," Economo said.

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

This slower pace means big data revisions can more easily reveal the economy is shedding jobs, not adding them.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 11, 2025

Shares of Entergy were climbing on Friday after Google unveiled plans to built a big data center in Arkansas.

From Barron's • Oct. 3, 2025