data

noun

da·​ta ˈdā-tə  ˈda- 

also

ˈdä- 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

often attributive

1

: factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation

We spent hours reviewing data from the experiment.

They made their decisions based on the survey data.

The data is plentiful and easily available.

—H. A. Gleason, Jr.

The city saw about 15 more cloudy days this year compared with the previous years, the data show.

—Rebecca Ellis and Phi Do

2

: information in digital form that can be transmitted or processed

an expert in data retrieval

There was too much data for the computer to process.

3

philosophy : information that is output by a sensing device or organ and that must be processed to be meaningful

According to an old philosophical and psychological tradition, sensation is an essentially passive affair; the senses present us with data and we have no choice but to accept.

—W. H. Walsh

Is data singular or plural?: Usage Guide

Data comes from the plural of datum, a technical word that refers to a single piece of information. Data continues to function as a plural, especially in technical and formal writing, taking a plural verb and plural modifiers (such as these, many, a few).

The data are compelling.

These data are incorrect.

More data are needed.

As for the data currently available, they are inconclusive.

More commonly, however, data refers to masses or collections of pieces of information, and functions much like the word information itself, taking a singular verb and singular modifiers (such as this, much, little).

The data is compelling.

Little data is available.

That data is flawed.

Is this data accurate?

As for the data we've seen, it's inconclusive.

Both constructions are standard.

Synonyms of data

• information

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

we are putting together all the data we have obtained on the local housing market

Recent Examples on the Web

Our data writer, Conor O’Neill, has also run the numbers on each side’s season so far. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025

The data suggests that while models are improving on benchmarks, there is still significant work to be done in meeting on-the-ground quality demands. —Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 31 Oct. 2025

After that, the spending goes to upgrading both cyber- and data-security measures and infrastructure for AI integration. —Diana Olick, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025

Attest data supports concerns around mental health, with a quarter of parents admitting their child struggles often. —Hannah Silverman, Parents, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, plural of datum — see datum

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing data

• big data
• data bank
• data file
• data mining
• data processing
• data recovery
• data set
• data structure
• flight data recorder

Rhymes for data

• beta
• theta
• zeta
• oligochaeta
• peseta
• punctata
• polychaeta

Kids Definition

data

singular or plural noun

da·​ta ˈdāt-ə  ˈdat- 

 also  ˈdät-

1

: facts about something that can be used in calculating, reasoning, or planning

2

: information in numerical form for use especially in a computer

Medical Definition

data

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

da·​ta ˈdāt-ə  ˈdat-  ˈdät- 

: 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