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Data

DAY-tuh /ˈdeɪtə/

nounA2

FormalTechnical

Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.

While 'data' can be treated as a singular or plural noun, in technical and academic contexts, it is often treated as a plural (e.g., 'the data are compelling'). In common usage, 'the data is' is increasingly accepted.

The story behind the word. The word 'data' comes directly from Latin, where it is the plural of 'datum', meaning 'something given'. This root 'dare' means 'to give'. So, 'data' literally means 'things given' or 'things known'. It entered English in the 17th century, initially in a philosophical sense, but gained its modern scientific and computational meaning much later.

Word relationships

Information: Broader term, can include subjective or qualitative content, whereas 'data' often implies quantifiable facts.
Facts: Similar to data, but 'data' often implies a collection or set of facts, especially for analysis.
Statistics: Numerical data that has been collected, classified, and presented.

Conjecture: An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
Guesswork: The process of making a judgment or decision without sufficient information.

Commonly confused with

Information: 'Data' are raw, unprocessed facts. 'Information' is data that has been processed, organized, or structured to provide context and meaning.

Word family

datum (noun): a single piece of data (less common in modern English)

Collocations

raw data
big data
collect data
analyze data
interpret data
data privacy

Example sentences

"The scientists collected extensive data on climate patterns over the last century." Discussing research findings.
"Our sales data indicates a significant increase in customer engagement during the holiday season." In a business report.
"The data suggest that the new drug is effective in reducing symptoms." From a scientific publication.

Memory hook

Think of 'DATA' as 'Drawn And Taken Away' from observations, ready for analysis. Drawn And Taken Away

When not to use

Avoid using 'data' to refer to abstract concepts or opinions that are not quantifiable or verifiable facts.

Fun facts

Historically, 'data' was almost exclusively treated as a plural noun (like 'agenda' from 'agendum'), but in modern everyday usage, especially in computing, it's often treated as singular.
The singular form 'datum' is still used in some technical fields, like surveying and cartography, to refer to a specific reference point or plane.