data

noun

da·​ta ˈdā-tə  ˈda- 

also

ˈdä- 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

often attributive

1

: factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation

the data is plentiful and easily available

—H. A. Gleason, Jr.

comprehensive data on economic growth have been published

—N. H. Jacoby

2

: information in digital form that can be transmitted or processed

3

: information output by a sensing device or organ that includes both useful and irrelevant or redundant information and must be processed to be meaningful

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

• facts
• information

Example Sentences

Smith, himself a stay-at-home dad and a journalist, mixes accessible summaries of social-science data with anecdotes drawn from interviews with couples in which the men have chosen, or have been compelled by economic circumstance, to become primary caregivers to their children. —Eduardo M. Pealver, Commonweal, 11 Sept. 2009

He plays Chuck Bartowski, a computer-tech expert with the Buy More store's Nerd Herd … who unwittingly becomes a secret agent when government data is downloaded to his brain. —Michael Logan, TV Guide, September 10-16, 2007

As measurements get better and more data pour in, physicists will bring those errors under control and chart exciting new territory. But for many, the wait is a strain. —Charles Seife, Science, 2 May 2003

By studying obscure demographic and economic data, he deduced that the Soviets were in crisis—and spending a far bigger slice of its national income on defense than anyone had suspected. —John Barry et al., Newsweek, 21 May 2001

Recent Examples on the Web

His weight remained consistent throughout, starting and ending the month at 160 pounds, having fluctuated a little in the middle, and the additional activity didn't affect any other data points like his blood pressure or resting heart rate. —Philip Ellis, Men's Health, 22 Mar. 2023

State researchers did not track the same data points that Central Oregon has. —oregonlive, 19 Mar. 2023

Having consumer trust is important, but as data breaches accelerate in severity and frequency, digital trust is a delicate commodity. —Jodi Daniels, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2023

Methodology Our methodology for evaluating online therapy companies is comprehensive and data-driven. —Liz Duszynski-goodman, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2023

Brillion's 14-8 edge in turnovers forced might be a big data point in this game, including the big one at the very end. —Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2023

There’s also the fact that T-Mobile has been the victim of several data breaches and hacks over the years, which isn’t exactly reassuring for the Mint customers that will soon be under the T-Mobile umbrella. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 15 Mar. 2023

But Monday night was a notable data point when assessing the best path for Smith moving forward. —Michael Shapiro, Chron, 15 Mar. 2023

In order to understand the data points behind these factors, the team used a 26-point Mediterranean lifestyle (MEDLIFE) index to measure how well each person in the study adhered to a Mediterranean lifestyle. —Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 15 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Latin, plural of datum — see datum

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing data

• big data
• data mining
• data file
• data structure
• data recovery
• flight data recorder
• data processing
• data bank

• big data
• data mining
• data file
• data structure
• data recovery
• flight data recorder
• data processing
• data bank

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Kids Definition

data

noun singular or plural

da·​ta ˈdāt-ə  ˈdat- 

 also  ˈdät-

1

: facts about something that can be used in calculating, reasoning, or planning

2

: information in numerical form for use especially in a computer

Medical Definition

data

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

da·​ta ˈdāt-ə  ˈdat-  ˈdät- 

: factual information (as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation

the data is plentiful and easily available

—H. A. Gleason, Jr.

comprehensive data on the incidence of Lyme disease