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.

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big data British  

plural noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of big data

First recorded in 1975–80, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

big data

“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

Newly formed regional chapters and working groups are scaling up exposomics research by combining A.I., advanced sensor technology, metabolomics, and big data analytics.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 14, 2026

There’s an evergreen lesson today for Wall Street: The market’s first move on a big data release isn’t always the last one.

From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026

Morgan Stanley has decadeslong ties to top-tech companies, and the firm’s bankers began pitching them financing options for big data centers two years ago.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025