noun
data
Facts or measurements collected for reference or analysis.
The scientists collect data on water quality from local streams.
Etymology
Data is the plural of Latin datum, something given. The information is treated as the given material from which comparison, reference, or analysis can proceed.
More examples
- The survey data show how residents travel to work.
- We compare this year's sales data with last year's.
- One unusual measurement can distort the data.
Forms
data · datum
Similar words
- information
- Broader knowledge or details, not necessarily collected for analysis.
- facts
- Emphasizes established truths rather than collected observations or measurements.
- statistics
- Numerical facts or summaries, rather than all collected observations.