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

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

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.

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

"During the previous administration, CDC lost public trust by manipulating health data to support a political narrative," he wrote on social media on the day he was appointed.

From BBC

In Russia, where people are prosecuted for critical comments or private messages, and a black market of personal data feeds an epidemic of scam calls, this is a real concern.

From BBC

Training involves feeding enormous quantities of data — including social media posts, photos, music, computer code, video and more — to train AI bots to discern patterns of language, images, sound and conversation that they can mimic.

From Los Angeles Times

The U.S. added just 22,000 jobs in August, according to data from the report.

From Salon

Kennedy repeatedly defended his record in heated exchanges with senators from both parties and questioned data that show the effectiveness of vaccines.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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