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

Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the consultants had been “unable to compel” other agencies to share their automatic vehicle locator data.

From Los Angeles Times

India does not have robust data on harm caused by poor handwriting, but in the world's most populous country misreading of prescriptions in the past has resulted in health emergencies and many deaths.

From BBC

Half of UK adults are now regularly paying for things by tapping their phone, new banking data suggests.

From BBC

Support should use income, health and energy consumption data and be tiered to give greater support to those most in need.

From BBC

Ms Javice was convicted for using falsified user-base data to make the customer list for her student financial aid company, called Frank, appear far larger than it actually was.

From BBC

Related Words

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