database

noun

da·​ta·​base ˈdā-tə-ˌbās 

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

This budding technique involves comparing DNA samples to those accessible on public genetic databases which law enforcement is permitted to access. —Claire Lempert, ABC News, 12 Sep. 2025

For the new study, the scientists looked at something called the disaster database, a global list of disasters maintained by university researchers, to identify heat waves with significant casualties, economic losses and calls for international assistance. —Julia Simon, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025

Yet most of this knowledge disappears into corporate databases. —Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Overall crime in Downtown, the neighborhood which includes The Banks and the stadiums, is up about 34% compared to last year, according to a city database. —Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1962, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for database

• aerospace
• anatase
• anyplace
• commonplace
• cyberspace
• diabase
• diastase
• dnase
• elastase
• fireplace
• hyperspace
• interface

Kids Definition

database

noun

da·​ta·​base ˈdāt-ə-ˌbās 

ˈdat-,

 also  ˈdät-

: a collection of data that is organized especially to be used by a computer