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

Parents increasingly scour the EWG database for ingredients to avoid. — Faye Brookman, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

The database shows the highest hourly rates in Colorado at $492 per hour. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, the number of US service members wounded since the start of the Iran war has passed 750, according to the Defense Department’s war casualty database. — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

With those seven additions, there are now 33 players across five sports who’ve had one or more of their cards sell for at least $1 million, according to sales database Card Ladder. — Larry Holder, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

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