datum

single fact / reference point / measurement

Noun

pl: data

This term is the singular form of data. While data is frequently used as an uncountable mass noun in common speech, datum is strictly used in technical, scientific, or legal contexts to refer to one individual piece of information. In geodesy and surveying, the word refers to a reference frame. It serves as the zero-point or baseline from which all other coordinates are calculated, making it a foundational constant rather than a variable.

Meanings

Noun

"The researchers collected every single datum available to ensure the accuracy of the study."

Noun

A fixed starting point, line, or surface from which measurements of distance, height, or position are taken.

"The surveyor established a benchmark datum to determine the exact elevation of the construction site."

Last Updated: June 14, 2026•Report an Error