datum

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableformaltechnical

   One single fact or measurement, especially one that forms part of a larger collection of information.

   Grammar: Singular of data; the plural is data, as in one datum, many data.

   Patterns

   • a single datum
   • a datum of something

   Each datum in the survey was checked by two researchers.

   A single datum cannot prove a trend.

   The odd datum at the end of the table was probably a typing error.

2. 2nouncountabletechnicalspecialist

   A fixed point or level from which other heights, positions, or distances are measured.

   Grammar: Plural in this sense is usually datums: map datums, vertical datums.

   Patterns

   • a datum for something
   • measure from a datum

   Sea level is used as the datum for measuring the height of mountains.

   Surveyors set a datum on the corner of the lot before marking the building.

   The GPS device uses a datum to turn satellite signals into a position on the map.

Word forms

Common combinations

single datum

A single datum does not make a pattern.

datum point

The datum point was marked with a brass plate.

datum level

All elevations are given relative to the datum level.

datum line

The datum line runs across the base of the drawing.

geodetic datum

The map uses a geodetic datum based on a model of the Earth.

Synonyms and how they differ

fact

Fact is the everyday word for something known to be true, while datum is a formal term for one item of recorded information.

figure

Figure usually means a number and is looser, whereas datum can be any recorded value.

reference point

Reference point is plain language for the measurement sense, and datum is the technical term.

benchmark

Benchmark is a standard for comparison, while a datum is a fixed point of measurement.

Word family

data noun

facts or measurements collected for study

database noun

an organized collection of information on a computer

dataset noun

a collection of related data

Commonly confused: datum or data? datum or date?

Practice

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