database

noun

da·​ta·​base ˈdā-tə-ˌbās How to pronounce database (audio)
ˈda-,
 also  ˈdä-
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.
So, uh, maybe don’t paste your customer database in Claude or Perplexity, OK? Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025 Unistellar plans to have over 1 million terrestrial points of interest added to its database, with Envision including real-time altitude, distance and azimuth data into the display. Tariq Malik, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025 Rodríguez said that the database is the first step in developing conservation strategies and taking action. Nell Lewis, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025 Coglianese says his own database now tracks over 3,000 uses. Tharin Pillay, Time, 10 Oct. 2025 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 13 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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