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.
Overall, crime in Over-the-Rhine, where thousands of people visit every weekend for dining and nightlife, is up by about 47% compared to last year, according to a city database. Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025 See the entire database of restaurant inspections here. Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Oct. 2025 This database only includes base tuition. Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025 Supabase is built on Postgres, the popular developer database system that competes with Google’s Firebase and is a bet on an open-source future. Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 3 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 5 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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