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 comes from the plural of datum, a technical word that refers to a single piece of information. Data continues to function as a plural, especially in technical and formal writing, taking a plural verb and plural modifiers (such as these, many, a few).

The data are compelling.

These data are incorrect.

More data are needed.

As for the data currently available, they are inconclusive.

More commonly, however, data refers to masses or collections of pieces of information, and functions much like the word information itself, taking a singular verb and singular modifiers (such as this, much, little).

The data is compelling.

Little data is available.

That data is flawed.

Is this data accurate?

As for the data we've seen, it's inconclusive.

Both constructions are standard.

Synonyms of datum

• fact
• detail

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

More than 1,700 flights have been canceled Friday through Sunday, data from Cirium shows, as airlines start to implement a 4% reduction in domestic flights at 40 of the busiest airports mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration. —Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 8 Nov. 2025

At this time, there is no data on the containment status of the fire and the cause has yet to be determined. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 Nov. 2025

Ending the government shutdown would ease the situation for controllers, but the FAA said the flight cuts will remain in place until their safety data improves. —Josh Funk, Arkansas Online, 8 Nov. 2025

The company’s board of directors now uses a proprietary AI assistant, trained on internal data, to provide real-time advice — part of a broader push to deploy the technology across all aspects of its operations. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from neuter of datus

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing datum

• sense-datum

Rhymes for datum

• atom
• stratum
• erratum
• striatum
• substratum
• heteroatom
• petrolatum

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