da·​ta | \ ˈdā-tə How to pronounce data (audio) , ˈda- How to pronounce data (audio) also ˈdä- How to pronounce data (audio) \

Definition of data

1 : factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation the data is plentiful and easily available— H. A. Gleason, Jr. comprehensive data on economic growth have been published— N. H. Jacoby
2 : information in digital form that can be transmitted or processed
3 : information output by a sensing device or organ that includes both useful and irrelevant or redundant information and must be processed to be meaningful

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Is data singular or plural?: Usage Guide

Data leads a life of its own quite independent of datum, of which it was originally the plural. It occurs in two constructions: as a plural noun (like earnings), taking a plural verb and plural modifiers (such as these, many, a few) but not cardinal numbers, and serving as a referent for plural pronouns (such as they, them); and as an abstract mass noun (like information), taking a singular verb and singular modifiers (such as this, much, little), and being referred to by a singular pronoun (it). Both constructions are standard. The plural construction is more common in print, evidently because the house style of several publishers mandates it.

Examples of data in a Sentence

Smith, himself a stay-at-home dad and a journalist, mixes accessible summaries of social-science data with anecdotes drawn from interviews with couples in which the men have chosen, or have been compelled by economic circumstance, to become primary caregivers to their children. — Eduardo M. Pealver, Commonweal, 11 Sept. 2009 He plays Chuck Bartowski, a computer-tech expert with the Buy More store's Nerd Herd … who unwittingly becomes a secret agent when government data is downloaded to his brain. — Michael Logan, TV Guide, September 10-16, 2007 As measurements get better and more data pour in, physicists will bring those errors under control and chart exciting new territory. But for many, the wait is a strain. — Charles Seife, Science, 2 May 2003 By studying obscure demographic and economic data, he deduced that the Soviets were in crisis—and spending a far bigger slice of its national income on defense than anyone had suspected. — John Barry et al., Newsweek, 21 May 2001
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Recent Examples on the Web Complicated issues get broken down to the most simple data points. Cliff Pinckard, cleveland, "Measuring the economic success of presidents: The Wake Up for Monday, Feb. 8, 2021," 8 Feb. 2021 Researchers tracked the mobility of about 200,000 students in Bexar County from 2007 to 2018, using Texas Education Agency data. Krista Torralva, San Antonio Express-News, "UTSA study: San Antonio area charters see more student movement from school to school," 8 Feb. 2021 According to Official Charts Company data, sales and streams of the song soared 1,864% week-on-week, after news broke of his death Tuesday (Feb. 2) following a battle with COVID-19. Lars Brandle, Billboard, "Celeste Snags U.K. No. 1 With ‘Not Your Muse’," 8 Feb. 2021 Yet their business models have also led them to surveillance and data-mining practices that are incongruent with civil liberties. Steve Coll, The New Yorker, "Trump’s Impeachment Trial Offers a Chance to Seize the Initiative on the Future of Free Speech," 8 Feb. 2021 The new rules restrict price fixing and the use of algorithms and data to manipulate the market, and bar companies from forcing merchants to choose between platforms to sell their goods. Naomi Xu Elegant, Fortune, "Beijing extends its antimonopoly campaign with new rules and a $500,000 fine," 8 Feb. 2021 The other uses data from a smartphone app called V-Safe that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention set up just for monitoring reactions to the coronavirus vaccines. Cassidy Morrison, Washington Examiner, "COVID-19 vaccines: What you need to know about side effects and risks," 8 Feb. 2021 Alabama releasing that data would give a reference point as to whether Blacks are equitably receiving the vaccine and address areas on improving access. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, "What is Alabama doing to vaccinate Black people against COVID?," 8 Feb. 2021 New York City health officials released data on Jan. 31 that revealed vast racial disparities in vaccine distribution. Washington Post, "‘We are always thought about last’: A New York neighborhood seeking coronavirus help feels left behind," 7 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'data.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of data

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for data

Latin, plural of datum — see datum

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Learn More about data

Statistics for data

Last Updated

14 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Data.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/data. Accessed 21 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for data

data

noun
How to pronounce data (audio) How to pronounce data (audio) How to pronounce data (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of data

: facts or information used usually to calculate, analyze, or plan something
: information that is produced or stored by a computer

data

noun plural
da·​ta | \ ˈdā-tə How to pronounce data (audio) , ˈda-tə \

Kids Definition of data

1 : facts about something that can be used in calculating, reasoning, or planning
2 : information expressed as numbers for use especially in a computer
Hint: Data can be used as a singular or a plural in writing and speaking. This data is useful. These data have been questioned.

data

noun plural but singular or plural in construction
da·​ta | \ ˈdāt-ə How to pronounce data (audio) , ˈdat- How to pronounce data (audio) , ˈdät- How to pronounce data (audio) \

Medical Definition of data

: factual information (as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation the data is plentiful and easily available— H. A. Gleason, Jr. comprehensive data on the incidence of Lyme disease

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Comments on data

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