data scientist

noun

plural data scientists
: a person who performs or applies data science especially as an element of their profession
data scientists who use the latest software and database tools for data mining, which is the extraction of patterns and knowledge from large and complex data sets.Paul McFedries
also : someone who studies the techniques and principles of data science

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of data scientist was in 1985

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Cite this Entry

“Data scientist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/data%20scientist. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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