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

Total Wireless Total Wireless 5G Unlimited Give the gift of fast, unlimited data this year. —Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 2 Dec. 2024

Those numbers come from a FOIA or Freedom of Information Act request the company made seeking AI crime data from the Federal Trade Commission. —Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 1 Dec. 2024

Alonso-Álvarez hopes to test his idea by seeking a signal of self-interacting dark matter in upcoming pulsar timing array data. —Jonathan O’Callaghan, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2024

When combined, the two categories were the 10th-biggest import from Mexico last year and mark a sharp 126% increase from 2017, International Trade Administration data shows. —Alicia Wallace, CNN, 30 Nov. 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