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

Examples of datum in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

More current federal data is not available because the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services retired this statistic in 2020 in favor of other measurements. —Brett Kelman and Samantha Liss, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

Indeed, in November 2023, the yuan’s share of global trade reached 4.61 percent, according to SWIFT data, its highest level ever. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024

Citing data from Nielsen, the sports media company explained on Monday, April 8, that the game broke viewership records, averaging 18.7 million viewers on ABC and ESPN. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024

The secret sauce of transformers is about building bigger and bigger models, using more and more data and computing power—in many cases costing hundreds of millions of dollars. —Bysharon Goldman, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024

But by 2021, the most recent year for which there's data, that dropped to 16%. —John Daley - Colorado Public Radio, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024

The Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Global Excl. —Gary Trust, Billboard, 8 Apr. 2024

Additional resources include timely news updates, market data, research reports, earnings calendars and analyst ratings, providing everything users need to stay informed. —Stephanie Tsai, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024

Local data providers with daily analysis show a strong Friday and Saturday, followed by a steep tumble on Sunday, which was a normal working day for many people, following the holiday. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter of datus

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing 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