datanoun [ U, + sing/pl verb ]
uk/ˈdeɪ.tə/us/ˈdeɪ.t̬ə/B2 information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to help decision-making, or information in an electronic form that can be stored and used by a computer:
The data was/were collected by various researchers.
Now the data is/are being transferred from magnetic tape to hard disk.
More examples
- The data is stored on a hard disk and backed up on a floppy disk.
- The report was written after analysing data from the case histories of thousands of patients.
- Scientists hope that data from the space probe will pave the way for a more detailed exploration of Mars.
- The system will handle phone calls and data messages as well as other signals that need high bandwidth.
- The data, normally transmitted electronically, can be changed into pulses of light.