fact

noun

\ 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.

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences 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

Still, Bo and Woody's sweet reunion is sure to inspire thousands of couples' costumes next Halloween, and their mission is high-stakes and full of suspense, despite the fact that the film telegraphs its multiple twists from minute one. — Kelsea Stahler, refinery29.com, "Toy Story 4 Isn't Perfect, But It Will Fork Its Way Right Into Your Heart," 15 June 2019 Rare earths, covering 17 elements on the periodic table, are in fact common. — The Economist, "Rare earths give China leverage in the trade war, at a cost," 15 June 2019 A 20th century phenomenon In fact, there is a real question as to whether anyone before the 20th century thought much about the Mona Lisa at all. — Susan Broomhall, Quartzy, "The secret to the Mona Lisa’s enduring allure," 15 June 2019 Fornals was routinely linked with a switch to the Emirates in late 2018 and early 2019 but a deal never looked likely, despite the fact Villarreal were selling for a relatively low price in the current market. — SI.com, "Unai Emery's Dissatisfaction at Arsenal, Missing Out on Fornals & the Latest on Mesut Ozil's Future," 14 June 2019 In fact, a deal could well come together fairly quickly, particularly if Los Angeles is willing to meet the asking price of David Griffin, New Orleans’s recently hired head of basketball operations. — Des Bieler, The Denver Post, "The Lakers might just pull off an Anthony Davis trade this time," 13 June 2019 In fact, the only locations where the shadow of the eclipse will touch land is Chile, Argentina and Oeno Island, a tiny uninhabited atoll in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. — Dean Regas, Cincinnati.com, "Meet the storm in the sky that would engulf Earth if it weren’t 93 million miles away," 13 June 2019 Despite the fact that there was some truth to the Instagram dissenter’s comments, many of 21 Savage’s fans still sided with the rapper and applauded his clever quip. — Stephanie Toone, ajc, "21 Savage had a quick comeback for a fan disputing his Atlanta roots," 12 June 2019 But Grossmont is a good example of a school district that has chosen not to support our schools, despite the fact that many of their students need us. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Three Learn4Life charter school sites will be shut down on judge’s order," 12 June 2019

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.

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 *dhh₁-k-i̯e- (with perfect fēcī from *dheh₁-k-) of Indo-European *dhh₁-, dheh₁- "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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More Definitions for fact

fact

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fact

: something that truly exists or happens : something that has actual existence

: a true piece of information

See the full definition for fact in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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