fact

noun

ˈfakt 

1

a

: something that has actual existence

space exploration is now a fact

b

: an actual occurrence

prove the fact of damage

2

: a piece of information presented as having objective reality

These are the hard facts of the case.

3

: the quality of being actual : actuality

a question of fact hinges on evidence

4

: a thing done: such as

a

: crime

accessory after the fact

b

archaic : action

c

obsolete : feat

5

archaic : performance, doing

Phrases

in fact

: in truth

He looks younger, but in fact, he is 60 years old.

Synonyms

• actuality
• factuality
• materiality
• reality

Examples of fact in a Sentence

Rapid electronic communication is now a fact.

The book is filled with interesting facts and figures.

He did it, and that's a fact.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a report released Wednesday, the organization listed facts about the war, which began Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas invaded Israel with a surprise attack and took more than 250 people captive. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024

There weren't in fact any kittens, but rather, plastic cat skeletons, beers, and some candy. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

In fact, these cases reveal something important about how his regime operates. —Leon Aron, The Atlantic, 5 Dec. 2024

Trump’s announcement of Boehler followed the news this week that American citizen Omer Neutra, a hostage in Gaza who was believed to be alive, had in fact been killed in the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. —Ece Yildirim, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin factum "deed, action, real event," noun derivative from neuter of factus, past participle of facere "to make, bring about, perform, do," going back to a suffixed form *d^hh₁-k-i̯e- (with perfect fēcī from *d^heh₁-k-) of Indo-European *d^hh₁-, d^heh₁- "put, place, make, do" — more at do entry 1

Note: The extension *-k- has been compared with the Greek extended aorist éthēka "I placed" (corresponding to present títhēmi "I set, put, placed"), apparently parallel to Latin jaciō, jacere "to throw" and Greek hêka "I threw" (see jet entry 3); though the identity of the two formatives has been disputed.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing fact

• accept the fact that
• after-the-fact
• as a matter of fact
• face the fact(s)
• fact-check
• fact finder
• fact from fiction
• fact of life
• in actual fact
• in point of fact
• is that a fact?
• know for a fact
• matter-of-fact
• the fact is/remains
• the fact of the matter is
• was resigned to the fact

Kids Definition

fact

noun

ˈfakt 

1

a

: a thing done

b

: crime sense 1

accessory after the fact

2

: the quality of being actual

3

: something that actually exists or occurs

space travel is now a fact

prove the fact of damage

4

: a piece of information about something presented as true and accurate

a book filled with facts

Legal Definition

fact

noun

1

: something that has actual existence : a matter of objective reality

2

: any of the circumstances of a case that exist or are alleged to exist in reality : a thing whose actual occurrence or existence is to be determined by the evidence presented at trial see also finding of fact at finding, judicial notice, question of fact at question, trier of fact compare law, opinion

— adjudicative fact

: a fact particularly related to the parties to an especially administrative proceeding compare legislative fact in this entry

— collateral fact

: a fact that has no direct relation to or immediate bearing on the case or matter in question compare material fact in this entry

— constitutional fact

: a fact that relates to the determination of a constitutional issue (as violation of a constitutional right) —used especially of administrative findings of fact

— evidentiary fact

: a fact that is part of the situation from which a case arises and that is established by testimony or other evidence

called also mediate fact, predicate fact

compare ultimate fact in this entry

— legislative fact

: a fact of general social, economic, or scientific relevance that does not change from case to case compare adjudicative fact in this entry

— material fact

: a fact that affects decision making: as

a : a fact upon which the outcome of all or part of a lawsuit depends

b : a fact that would influence a reasonable person under the circumstances in making an investment decision (as in purchasing a security or voting for a corporate officer or action)

— mediate fact

: evidentiary fact in this entry

— predicate fact

: evidentiary fact in this entry

— ultimate fact \ ˈəl-​ti-​mət-​ \

: a conclusion of law or especially mixed fact and law that is necessary to the determination of issues in a case and that is established by evidentiary facts compare evidentiary fact in this entry

Etymology

Latin factum deed, real happening, something done, from neuter of factus, past participle of facere to do, make