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

In 1965, the average CEO made 21 times as much as one of their typical workers, per the Economic Policy Institute data.

From Salon

Mitchell said state data showed that 1,310 registered Republicans fixed technical issues and had their flagged ballots counted, as did 2,186 Democrats — far more voters than the 187-vote margin of victory.

From Los Angeles Times

The National Park Service has monitored lions in and around the Santa Monica Mountains for more than 20 years, which is where the long-term data for the recent research came from.

From Los Angeles Times

Nicole Zupich saw this manifest in her own life at her job as a data scientist: She found it hard to say no to colleagues and developed a habit of people pleasing.

From Salon

Meanwhile, NHS data shows that average weekly alcohol consumption had declined slightly in the decade to 2022 and the Night Time Industries Association warns that UK night clubs are closing at a rapid rate.

From BBC

Related Words

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