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data

DAY-tuh, DAT-uh /ˈdeɪtə/, /ˈdætə/

nounB1SAT

generalscientifictechnical

Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.

While 'data' is technically the plural form of 'datum,' it is commonly used as a singular mass noun in modern English, especially in scientific and technical contexts (e.g., 'the data is compelling').

The story behind the word. The word 'data' comes directly from Latin. It is the plural form of 'datum,' which means 'something given.' In its original sense, data were the 'givens' or facts that formed the basis for an argument or calculation. Over time, 'data' evolved to be used as a collective noun for a body of facts, often treated as singular in modern usage.

Word relationships

information: Information is a broader term; data refers to specific facts or figures that can be processed.
statistics: Statistics are numerical data, often presented in an organized or analyzed form.

Commonly confused with

information: Data are the raw facts; information is data that has been processed, organized, and structured to provide context and meaning.

Word family

datum (noun (singular)): A single piece of information; a fact.

Collocations

raw data
collect data
analyze data
interpret data
quantitative data
qualitative data

Example sentences

"The raw data collected from the survey needed to be organized and analyzed before any conclusions could be drawn." Research findings
"All the experimental data strongly supported the proposed hypothesis." Scientific presentation

Memory hook

Think of 'DATA' as 'DA' facts 'TA'ken. DATA: facts given

When not to use

Avoid using 'data' to refer to unsubstantiated opinions or anecdotes; it implies systematically collected information.

Fun facts

The debate over whether 'data' should be treated as singular or plural continues, though singular usage is increasingly common in everyday and scientific language.
The first recorded use of 'data' in English was in the 17th century.