something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact.
something known to exist or to have happened: Space travel is now a fact.
a truth known by actual experience or observation; something known to be true: Scientists gather facts about plant growth.
something said to be true or supposed to have happened: The facts given by the witness are highly questionable.
Law.Often facts.an actual or alleged event or circumstance, as distinguished from its legal effect or consequence.Compare question of fact, question of law.
Idioms for fact
after the fact, Law. after the commission of a crime: an accessory after the fact.
before the fact, Law. prior to the commission of a crime: an accessory before the fact.
in fact, actually; really; indeed: In fact, it was a wonder that anyone survived.
Origin of fact
1530–40; <Latin factum something done, deed, noun use of neuter of factus done, past participle of facere to do1
They’re likely banking on the fact that voters don’t remember or care that Republicans waited months to start negotiating.
Why House Democrats have good reason to be anxious about no coronavirus relief deal|Amber Phillips|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Achieving herd immunity is, in fact, one goal in this pandemic.
The problem with Trump’s ‘herd mentality’ line isn’t the verbal flub. It’s the mass death.|Philip Bump|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
This story has been updated to reflect the fact that Red Ventures has made four acquisitions this year, not three.
‘Helping people discover information’: How Red Ventures grew into a giant|Max Willens|September 16, 2020|Digiday
Many publishers have struggled with the fact that virtual event sponsorships fetch smaller amounts of money than in-person ones.
‘Eager to explore more’: Business Insider’s virtual events strategy lifts volume and plants evergreen on-demand feature|Max Willens|September 16, 2020|Digiday
“The fact is, we created the greatest economy in the history of the world.”
Trump’s ABC News town hall: Four Pinocchios, over and over again|Glenn Kessler|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
He loves the fact that, like on Grindr, users can identify as transgender.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In fact, in a recent study of their users internationally, it was the lowest priority for most.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In fact, according to F-35 program sources, the next software upgrades are not yet fully defined nor are they fully funded.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In its attempt to discredit the story, the JPO inadvertently confirmed that fact.
Pentagon Misfires in Stealth Jet Scandal|Dave Majumdar|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And the fact that satire unnerves the intolerant is evidence of its positive power.
Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too|John Avlon|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
About the time at which I suppose this letter to have been written there is, in fact, a payment of 40 to J.L.
Great Ghost Stories|Various
"I suppose I should have shown up," said Bob—concealing the fact that the idea had never occurred to him.
Back To Billabong|Mary Grant Bruce
Because this fact is theoretically true, it is not practically true also.
The Problems of Psychical Research|Hereward Carrington
A further embarrassment comes from the fact that this tone-embroidery found in the i'i is not a fixed quantity.
Unwritten Literature of Hawaii|Nathaniel Bright Emerson
What a blow this was to all her rising hopes, founded on the fact of his having shown anxiety to find them out.
Flora Adair, Vol. 1 (of 2)|A. M. Donelan
British Dictionary definitions for fact
fact
/ (fækt) /
noun
an event or thing known to have happened or existed
a truth verifiable from experience or observation
a piece of informationget me all the facts of this case
law(often plural)an actual event, happening, etc, as distinguished from its legal consequences. Questions of fact are decided by the jury, questions of law by the court or judge
philosophya proposition that may be either true or false, as contrasted with an evaluative statement
after the factcriminal lawafter the commission of the offencean accessory after the fact
before the factcriminal lawbefore the commission of the offence
as a matter of fact, in factorin point of factin reality or actuality
fact of lifean inescapable truth, esp an unpleasant one
the fact of the matterthe truth
Derived forms of fact
factful, adjective
Word Origin for fact
C16: from Latin factum something done, from factus made, from facere to make