datum

noun

da·​tum ˈdā-təm  ˈda- 

ˈdä-

1

plural data ˈdā-tə  ˈda- 

also

ˈdä-  : something given or admitted especially as a basis for reasoning or inference

an important historical datum

This enormous expense—and considerable risk—to pick up a datum or two about geriatrics?

—Charles Krauthammer

2

plural datums, mathematics : something used as a basis for calculating or measuring

measuring the distance between datum points

… make things more efficient for those of us whose work requires a time datum.

—Robert Steinbrunn

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

• detail
• fact
• nicety
• particular
• particularity
• point
• specific

Examples of datum in a Sentence

let's begin our discussion of this matter with a datum from actual experience

Recent Examples on the Web

Here is a review of 10 Big Energy Events that impacted the United States and its energy security during 2024: The rise of AI and data centers as major energy demand drivers - Regional US power grids were already coming under strains to maintain security and reliability as 2024 dawned. —David Blackmon, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

An internal review of the U.S. Navy found in 2019 that the Chinese intelligence community oversaw years of operations illicitly accessing U.S. national security data. —Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 31 Dec. 2024

But colder temperatures were also possible throughout the Lone Star State, the NWS' data showed. —George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024

These challenges include the PLA’s lack of militarily relevant training data, difficulties associated with testing and evaluating AI systems, and stringent U.S. export controls on the semiconductors that power the most advanced AI models. —Sam Bresnick, Foreign Affairs, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter of datus

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing datum

• sense-datum

Kids Definition

datum

noun

da·​tum ˈdāt-əm  ˈdat- 

ˈdät-

plural data -ə  or datums

: something used as a basis for reasoning or arriving at a conclusion or for calculating or measuring