Legal Definitions - datum

A datum refers to a single, distinct piece of information. While its plural form, data, is more commonly used to describe a collection of such pieces, a datum is one individual fact, figure, or observation.

• Example 1: In a product liability lawsuit, a specific manufacturing date stamped on a faulty component is a crucial datum. This single piece of information can help determine if the product was part of a particular production run known to have defects.

  Explanation: The manufacturing date is one specific fact that contributes to the overall evidence in the case, illustrating its role as an individual piece of information.

• Example 2: When a government agency collects demographic information for a census, the reported age of one individual is a single datum. This individual age contributes to the vast collection of population statistics.

  Explanation: The age of one person is a distinct piece of information that, when combined with others, forms the larger dataset of the census.

• Example 3: During a medical examination, a patient's blood pressure reading at a specific moment is a significant datum. This particular measurement helps the doctor assess the patient's current health status alongside other test results.

  Explanation: The blood pressure reading is an isolated, measurable fact that provides specific insight, making it a clear example of a datum.