datum
Americannoun
plural
data, datums-
a single piece of information, as a fact, statistic, or code; an item of data.
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Philosophy.
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any fact assumed to be a matter of direct observation.
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any proposition assumed or given, from which conclusions may be drawn.
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Also called sense datum. Epistemology. the object of knowledge as presented to the mind.
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Surveying, Civil Engineering. any level surface, line, or point used as a reference in measuring elevations.
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Surveying. a basis for horizontal control surveys, consisting of the longitude and latitude of a certain point, the azimuth of a certain line from this point, and two constants used in defining the terrestrial spheroid.
noun
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a single piece of information; fact
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a proposition taken for granted, often in order to construct some theoretical framework upon it; a given See also sense datum
Usage
See data.
Etymology
Origin of datum
First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin: “a thing given,” neuter past participle of dare “to give”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In January, the country’s EV and hybrid sales fell for the first time in almost two years, declining 20% to 596,000 units, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association.
It spent about $1 billion last year to acquire a digital infrastructure investment firm and bought ownership stakes in data centers leased by Meta Platforms and Oracle.
The latest data from Acled, an independent global conflict monitor, shows a considerable increase in the kidnapping of foreigners in Mali and Niger in 2025, compared to previous years.
From BBC
James Benedict is a graphics reporter for The Wall Street Journal in New York, where he specializes in data analysis and interactive design across a variety of topics.
Other economic data out this week include the Institute for Supply Management’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index on Monday, and the Services PMI on Wednesday.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
