Database

Definition

Database refers to an organized collection of data or information, typically stored electronically, that can be accessed, managed, and updated. Databases are structured to facilitate easy retrieval and manipulation of data by computers, often using specific software like a database management system (DBMS).

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdeɪtəˌbeɪs/
• Respelling: DAY-tuh-bayss

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdætəˌbeɪs/
• Respelling: DA-tuh-bayss

The pronunciation of "database" is slightly different between American and British English, with variations in the vowel sound of the first syllable.

Etymology

The word "database" is a compound formed from "data," derived from the Latin "datum," meaning "something given," and "base," meaning a foundation or structure. The term became widely used in the 1960s with the development of computing technology and the need for efficient storage and retrieval systems.

Derivatives

• Database management (noun)
• Database administrator (noun)
• Databased (adjective)
• Database system (noun)
• Databasing (verb)

Synonyms

• Data repository
• Information system
• Data archive

Antonyms

• None

Usage

Databases are used in a wide range of fields, including business, education, science, and government. They are essential for storing large amounts of structured data, such as customer records, inventory, financial transactions, and more. Common types of databases include relational databases, NoSQL databases, and cloud databases, each suited to different types of data storage and access requirements.

Related Terms

• SQL: Structured Query Language, used to manage and retrieve data in relational databases.
• DBMS: Database Management System, software used to create, manage, and manipulate databases.
• Schema: The structure or organization of a database, defining how data is stored and related.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A structured set of data held in a computer: Refers to a collection of organized information, often stored electronically, and managed using a database management system.
  • Example: "The company stores all customer information in a centralized database."
• A physical or digital repository for organized information: Used to describe any organized system for storing and retrieving data, whether physical or electronic.
  • Example: "The library's database allows users to search for books online."