data

[dey-tuh, dat-uh]

noun

1. (usually used with a singular verb),  information in digital format, as encoded text or numbers, or multimedia images, audio, or video.

   The data was corrupted and can’t be retrieved.

   Data is entered for immediate processing by the computer.

2. (used with a singular verb),  a body of facts; information.

   Additional data is available from the president of the firm.

3. (used with a plural verb),  individual facts, statistics, or items of information.

   These data represent the results of our analyses.

4. a plural of datum.

data

/ ˈdeɪtə, ˈdɑːtə /

plural noun

1. a series of observations, measurements, or facts; information

2. Also called: information. computing the information operated on by a computer program

Usage

Data is a plural of datum, which is originally a Latin noun meaning “something given.” Today, data is used in English both as a plural noun meaning “facts or pieces of information” ( These data are described more fully elsewhere ) and as a singular mass noun meaning “information” ( Not much data is available on flood control in Brazil ). It is usually treated as a plural in scientific and academic writing. In the digital or computer sense it is almost always treated as a mass noun and used with a singular verb. In other types of writing it is either singular or plural. The Latinate singular datum meaning “a piece of information” is now rare in all types of writing. In surveying and civil engineering, where datum has specialized senses, the plural form is datums.

Although now often used as a singular noun, data is properly a plural

Other Word Forms

• predata noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of data¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin, plural of datum ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of data¹

C17: from Latin, literally: (things) given, from dare to give

Example Sentences

As of June of this year, more than 8,000 people were enrolled, according to the state’s most recent data.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Gardiner cited Haia Mohammed, who was awarded a scholarship at Goldsmiths University, as one of more than 80 students who could not record their data, as there is no visa application centre in Gaza.

From BBC

Clearly, Cain is still fighting fantasy villains because nonpublic data from ICE indicate that the government is primarily detaining individuals with no criminal convictions of any kind.

From Los Angeles Times

Next week, the Office for National Statistics will release data on how the UK economy performed between April and June.

From BBC

In Wales, the figure stood at 120,000 empty properties the last time the data was collated.

From BBC

Related Words

• dossier 
• evidence 
• goods 
• info 
• input 
• knowledge 
• picture 
• statistics 
• testimony