database

noun

da·​ta·​base ˈdā-tə-ˌbās How to pronounce database (audio)
ˈda-
also ˈdä-
Synonyms of databasenext
computers
: a usually large collection of data organized especially for rapid search and retrieval (as by a computer)
an online database
database transitive verb

Examples of database in a Sentence

All of our customers' information was kept in a database.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To rectify this oversight, a few years ago, my friend Cassey Lottman and I created the Great Farts of Literature database, an ongoing project dedicated to cataloging the best butt bombs in print and from which this list is adapted. Literary Hub, 4 May 2026 Over the past 12 years, the assessor’s office has spent roughly $120 million with Oracle to build a custom database system. Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026 The Canadian province of Alberta has been the site of recent drama around its electoral list, a database that contains information such as names, addresses, and voting districts for millions of citizens. Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 4 May 2026 The system, which fuses data from smartphones, security and traffic cameras, Wi-Fi signals, drones, government databases and social media, has granted Israel what seems an almost omniscient ability to track Hezbollah cadres’ every movement. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for database

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of database was circa 1962

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Cite this Entry

“Database.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/database. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

database

noun
da·​ta·​base ˈdāt-ə-ˌbās How to pronounce database (audio)
ˈdat-
also ˈdät-
: a collection of data that is organized especially to be used by a computer
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