1. facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis: "there is very little data available"
▪ the quantities, characters, or symbols on which operations are performed by a computer, which may be stored and transmitted in the form of electrical signals and recorded on magnetic, optical, or mechanical recording media.
▪ things known or assumed as facts, making the basis of reasoning or calculation.
Word Originmid 17th century (as a term in philosophy): from Latin, plural of datum.
