datum

noun

da·​tum ˈdā-təm  ˈda- 

ˈdä-

1

plural data ˈdā-tə  ˈda- 

also

ˈdä-  : something given or admitted especially as a basis for reasoning or inference

an important historical datum

This enormous expense—and considerable risk—to pick up a datum or two about geriatrics?

—Charles Krauthammer

2

plural datums, mathematics : something used as a basis for calculating or measuring

measuring the distance between datum points

… make things more efficient for those of us whose work requires a time datum.

—Robert Steinbrunn

Is data singular or plural?: Usage Guide

Data leads a life of its own quite independent of datum, of which it was originally the plural. It occurs in two constructions: as a plural noun (like earnings), taking a plural verb and plural modifiers (such as these, many, a few) but not cardinal numbers, and serving as a referent for plural pronouns (such as they, them); and as an abstract mass noun (like information), taking a singular verb and singular modifiers (such as this, much, little), and being referred to by a singular pronoun (it). Both constructions are standard. The plural construction is more common in print, evidently because the house style of several publishers mandates it.

Synonyms

• detail
• fact
• nicety
• particular
• particularity
• point
• specific

Example Sentences

let's begin our discussion of this matter with a datum from actual experience

Recent Examples on the Web

To me this seems like an important datum indeed considering how much debate there is in our society about the consumption levels of salt. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 4 May 2013

This datum is at the heart of a recent Ross Douthat column, Eugenics, Past and Future. —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2012

Beyond this one biographical datum—his presence at the Eastern Front—nothing else of his experience appeared in his letter. —Cynthia Ozick, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2022

The actual observance is not a calendar event, but many promote the datum when larger quantum computers can publicly break PKI systems using RSA and ECC. —Denis Mandich, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2021

The only memorable datum in 300 pages of chaff was the fact that, not counting his brothers, Jim Buckley had stood up as best man for five different bridegrooms. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 5 Oct. 2020

Coronavirus testing has reached record levels in Oregon with nearly 12,000 residents receiving results in the past week, according to state data analyzed by The Oregonian/OregonLive. —oregonlive, 30 Apr. 2020

But Smith and her colleagues now have solid data to back up other aspects of these creatures’ superpowered spines at a level of detail that’s never been seen before. —Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Apr. 2020

Blacks have suffered roughly double the fatality rate of whites during the epidemic, according to city health data. —Claudia Torrens, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2020

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Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter of datus

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing datum

• sense-datum

• sense-datum

Kids Definition

datum

noun

da·​tum ˈdāt-əm  ˈdat- 

ˈdät-

plural data -ə  or datums

: something used as a basis for reasoning or arriving at a conclusion or for calculating or measuring