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

Twenty-two years later, that overwhelming majority had shrunk to 37%, according to census data cited by a city dashboard. —Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024

Bay Area News Group data journalist Harriet Blair Rowan and The Associated Press contributed to this story. —Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024

Harbinger Motors is backed by venture capital money, with $100 million funded to date and another $82 million expected to scale-up production, according to Harris and Crunchbase, which tracks funding data for startups. —Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024

An attacker could use the times and phone numbers of calls—the records that AT&T lost in a massive data breach uncovered in July—for a variety of impersonation and spoofing attacks. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 16 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