fact

noun

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\ ˈfakt

Definition of fact

1a : something that has actual existence space exploration is now a fact

b : an actual occurrence prove the fact of damage

2 : a piece of information presented as having objective reality These are the hard facts of the case.

3 : the quality of being actual : actuality a question of fact hinges on evidence

4 : a thing done: such as

a : crime accessory after the fact

b archaic : action

c obsolete : feat

5 archaic : performance, doing

in fact

: in truth He looks younger, but in fact, he is 60 years old.

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Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing fact Learn More About fact

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Examples of fact in a Sentence

Rapid electronic communication is now a fact. The book is filled with interesting facts and figures. He did it, and that's a fact.

Recent Examples on the Web But the fact that the league gave them that marquee spot is noteworthy. — Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2022 Fun fact: The restaurant houses its own charcoal grill, used exclusively to cook the skewers. — Megha Mcswain, Chron, 11 May 2022 And the fact that diesel and jet fuel prices are up far more than gasoline prices shows that refiners are shifting more of their production to those products. — Chris Isidore, CNN, 11 May 2022 The fact that the Browns took on this Chris: player. — Laura Johnston, cleveland, 10 May 2022 One fun additional fact about Ozark: Over that same time span, the 7-day period that ended May 8? — Andy Meek, BGR, 10 May 2022 The fact that Sahaba's sets feel weightless and comfortable appealed to clients, too. — Devon Abelman, Allure, 10 May 2022 Another fun fact: The 725-acre park is believed to have the largest tulip tree in Louisville, according to the city's website. — Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 10 May 2022 But just the fact that there aren’t very many of these forums . . . — San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fact.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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History and Etymology for fact

borrowed from Latin factum "deed, action, real event," noun derivative from neuter of factus, past participle of facere "to make, bring about, perform, do," going back to a suffixed form *d^hh₁-k-i̯e- (with perfect fēcī from *d^heh₁-k-) of Indo-European *d^hh₁-, d^heh₁- "put, place, make, do" — more at do entry 1

Note: The extension *-k- has been compared with the Greek extended aorist éthēka "I placed" (corresponding to present títhēmi "I set, put, placed"), apparently parallel to Latin jaciō, jacere "to throw" and Greek hêka "I threw" (see jet entry 3); though the identity of the two formatives has been disputed.

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Learn More About fact

Dictionary Entries Near fact

facsimilize

fact

facta

Statistics for fact

Last Updated

15 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Fact.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fact. Accessed 23 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for fact

fact

noun

\ ˈfakt

Kids Definition of fact

1 : something that really exists or has occurred Space travel is now a fact.

2 : a true piece of information "I just know for a fact that she has a huge family to feed!"— Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows

in fact

: in truth : actually She got there early and in fact she was earliest.

fact

noun

Legal Definition of fact

1 : something that has actual existence : a matter of objective reality

2 : any of the circumstances of a case that exist or are alleged to exist in reality : a thing whose actual occurrence or existence is to be determined by the evidence presented at trial — see also finding of fact at finding, judicial notice, question of fact at question, trier of fact — compare law, opinion

— adjudicative fact

: a fact particularly related to the parties to an especially administrative proceeding — compare legislative fact in this entry

— collateral fact

: a fact that has no direct relation to or immediate bearing on the case or matter in question — compare material fact in this entry

— constitutional fact

: a fact that relates to the determination of a constitutional issue (as violation of a constitutional right) —used especially of administrative findings of fact

— evidentiary fact

: a fact that is part of the situation from which a case arises and that is established by testimony or other evidence

— called also mediate fact, predicate fact

— compare ultimate fact in this entry

— legislative fact

: a fact of general social, economic, or scientific relevance that does not change from case to case — compare adjudicative fact in this entry

— material fact

: a fact that affects decision making: as

a : a fact upon which the outcome of all or part of a lawsuit depends

b : a fact that would influence a reasonable person under the circumstances in making an investment decision (as in purchasing a security or voting for a corporate officer or action)

— mediate fact

: evidentiary fact in this entry

— predicate fact

: evidentiary fact in this entry

— ultimate fact \ ˈəl-ti-mət- \

: a conclusion of law or especially mixed fact and law that is necessary to the determination of issues in a case and that is established by evidentiary facts — compare evidentiary fact in this entry

in fact

: as a factual matter : established by fact rather than as a matter of law