database

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "database" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a collection of stored data that can be accessed with a computer. For example, "I pulled the customer data from the company database."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Officers have a strong DNA profile but have so far drawn a blank on the national database.

The Guardian

Slovakian authorities want citizens to go home, look up the receipt with the tax ID, and enter it into a national database.

The Guardian - Money

Erin Klein, who tracks US radio stations for the Broadcasting Board of Governors, was relieved to be returning to the office and keen to check on the status of the database she manages.

The Guardian

The database holding the programs had been accessed more than 20,000 times, but there is no evidence that they have ever been deployed for use beyond GCHQ staff.

The Guardian

Since we allowed this, over 14,000 offences have been successfully matched to over 8,000 suspects including over 100 murders and 100 rapes - and as far as I am aware, no one is on the database for dropping litter!

The Guardian - Opinion

Stephen Wilson, a privacy and security consultant with the Lockstep group, said: "You just wouldn't think that hundreds of people would need to know or have access to that database.

The Guardian

Green shoot rating 3 out of 5 Mergers and acquisitions have been all but non-existent since the credit crunch took hold, but figures from the Zephyr database, which tracks such activity, shows the value of deals in the first three months of this year up 40% on 2008 levels to £214bn.

The Guardian - Business

But we Lib Dems have long campaigned against the "database state".

The Guardian - Opinion

A separate USAid database shows the agency awarded about 14% of its mission funding through local organisations in 2012.

The Guardian

I found a secret database that tracked 30 years of leaks – software, music, movies – from every major piracy crew, dating back to 1982.

The Guardian - Books

"As I went from village to village," he says, "I began finding a lot of incidents that were not on my database".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use descriptive names for your "database" tables and fields to improve readability and maintainability.

Common error

Avoid using "data" and "database" interchangeably. "Data" refers to raw facts and figures, while a "database" is an organized collection of data.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "database" is as a noun, referring to a structured collection of data. Ludwig shows examples where it acts as both a countable and uncountable noun, depending on the context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "database" functions primarily as a noun, denoting an organized collection of data. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its register is neutral, making it appropriate for various formal and informal contexts. Analysis of Ludwig examples reveals that "database" is very common, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science domains. When writing about "database", it's crucial to remember that it refers to an organized collection of data and should not be used interchangeably with raw "data" itself. Alternative terms include "data repository" and "information archive", offering nuanced ways to describe similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

data repository

Replaces "database" with a more formal term emphasizing storage.

data storage system

Highlights the system aspect of storing data instead of the collection itself.

information archive

Emphasizes the archival nature of the stored information.

digital library

Suggests a curated collection of digital information.

data warehouse

Implies a large, centralized storage for analytical purposes.

data collection

Focuses on the act of gathering data rather than the stored entity.

record system

Highlights the systematic recording of information.

knowledge base

Implies a structured collection of knowledge.

computerized records

Stresses the computerized aspect of the records.

electronic files

A more general term referring to digital storage.

FAQs

How to use "database" in a sentence?

A "database" is an organized collection of data, often stored and accessed electronically. For example, "The company uses a "database" to manage customer information."

What can I say instead of "database"?

You can use alternatives like "data repository", "data storage system", or "information archive" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "database" or "data base"?

"Database" is the correct spelling as a single word. "Data base" is less common and generally considered incorrect in technical writing.

What's the difference between "database" and "spreadsheet"?

A "database" is designed for managing large volumes of structured data with complex relationships, while a spreadsheet is better suited for simpler data analysis and organization.