metadata
noun
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How Metadata Was Formed
It's easy to find data on the source of "metadata": the word was formed by combining "data" with "meta-," which means "transcending" and is often used to describe a new but related discipline designed to deal critically with the original one. "Meta-" was first used in that way in "metaphysics" and has been extended to a number of other disciplines, giving us such words as "metapsychology" and "metamathematics." "Metadata" takes the "transcending" aspect a step further, applying it to the concept of pure information instead of a discipline. "Metadata" is a fairly new word (it appeared in the latter half of the 20th century), whereas "data" can be traced back to the middle of the 17th century.
Examples of metadata in a Sentence
Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Importantly, Signal doesn’t collect or store metadata about who is calling or texting whom, information that can often be nearly as sensitive as the content of conversations.
—Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 16 June 2025
Appointment records also contained metadata such as timestamps and institutional identifiers.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2025
From automating document analysis, enhancing metadata extraction and providing advanced search capabilities, legal professionals can be empowered to efficiently manage and access their firm's knowledge assets without significant change management disruption.
—Dan Hauck, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for metadata
Cite this Entry
“Metadata.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metadata. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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