metadata

noun

meta·​da·​ta ˌme-tə-ˈdā-tə 

-ˈda-,

 also  -ˈdä-

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: data that provides information about other data

Did you know?

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

Recent Examples on the Web

New measures need to be found that will rely on metadata — already provided — instead of content. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

What To Know The defense is seeking the metadata and log files for video taken by surveillance cameras at the Canton Police Department on January 29, 2022. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025

The videos created in Firefly will come with Content Credential metadata to let the world know that the content was generated by AI rather than in the real world. —Michael Muchmore, PCMAG, 12 Feb. 2025

Baldoni’s team argues that metadata on the Times’ website shows that the paper had access to Lively’s civil rights complaint well before the Times broke its story on Dec. 21. —Michaela Zee, Variety, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for metadata

• bhagavata
• capitata
• ciliata
• coronata
• oblongata
• odonata
• radiata
• tathagata
• acuminata
• desiderata
• fasciculata
• microbiota

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