data

[ dey-tuh, dat-uh ]

noun

1. (usually used with a singular verb) Digital Technology. 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 calledinformation computing the information operated on by a computer program

Usage Note

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.

Usage

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

Other Words From

• pre·da·ta 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

This initial match is used to create the Experian Match mapping file, which is then stored in a decentralized data “bunker.”

From Digiday

Sága makes Insider an attractive partner, said Vincent Niou, associate vice president, programmatic and data strategy, APAC at Essence.

From Digiday

In that space, it’s considered the younger, more agile competitor, with the potential to capture more of the market as data warehouses shift to cloud.

From Fortune

The effort generated thousands of posts this summer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, according to an examination by The Post and an assessment by an independent specialist in data science.

From Washington Post

To learn how to make data centers reliable enough not to need human touch is a dream of ours.

From Fortune

Therefore, it is not possible for any F-35 schedule to include a video data link  or infrared pointer at this point.

From The Daily Beast

The flight management computers include the navigation data programmed for every flight.

From The Daily Beast

We might even see data that suggest the program is performing efficiently.

From The Daily Beast

Take fiscal year 2013, the last year the finalized data is available.

From The Daily Beast

In short, the existing data makes fracking seem like a judgment call.

From The Daily Beast

The doctrines of free trade are of very recent growth; the data on which its laws are founded are few, and also uncertain.

From Project Gutenberg

With regard to the effects on the sexual powers, I have not sufficient data upon which to found positive rules.

From Project Gutenberg

I have neither the data nor the technical knowledge which would justify me to my conscience in doing so.

From Project Gutenberg

Every one who spoke had studied the data and the ground and there was no divergence of view, which was a comfort.

From Project Gutenberg

The point which most concerns us is in how far biological data can be applied to the sex problem in society.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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