datum

[dey-tuhm, dat-uhm, dah-tuhm]

noun

plural

data, datums 

1. a single piece of information, as a fact, statistic, or code; an item of data.

2. Philosophy.

   1. any fact assumed to be a matter of direct observation.

   2. any proposition assumed or given, from which conclusions may be drawn.

3. Also called sense datum. Epistemology.,  the object of knowledge as presented to the mind.

4. Surveying, Civil Engineering.,  any level surface, line, or point used as a reference in measuring elevations.

5. Surveying.,  a basis for horizontal control surveys, consisting of the longitude and latitude of a certain point, the azimuth of a certain line from this point, and two constants used in defining the terrestrial spheroid.

datum

/ ˈdeɪtəm, ˈdɑːtəm /

noun

1. a single piece of information; fact

2. a proposition taken for granted, often in order to construct some theoretical framework upon it; a given See also sense datum

Usage

See data.

Word History and Origins

Origin of datum¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin: “a thing given,” neuter past participle of dare “to give”

Word History and Origins

Origin of datum¹

C17: from Latin: something given; see _data

Example Sentences

Another user in southern Kandahar province, who runs a private business, said his fibre optic internet had been cut off since Tuesday but mobile phone data was working, with Facebook and Instagram being "severely slow".

From BBC

When the asteroid data is plotted on a graph of the rotation period versus diameter, something startling stands out - there's a gap, or dividing line that appears to split two distinct populations.

From Science Daily

But in the last decade, the technology has advanced to the point where there can be an over-reliance on the data, Khan said.

From Los Angeles Times

In reality, there’s not a lot of good data on how many ER visits involve undocumented folks because doctors are more focused on saving lives than checking immigration status.

From Los Angeles Times

The NGO was suspended on 31 July for three months by the authorities for "collecting sensitive data without authorisation".

From BBC

Related Words

• accomplishment 
• action 
• case 
• circumstance 
• data 
• evidence 
• experience 
• factor 
• incident 
• information 
• performance 
• phenomenon 
• statistic