noun

metadata

/ˈmɛtəˌdeɪtə/ · say it: MET·uh·DAY·tuh

data that describes other data

In Technology & Computing

In more detail

1. (noun) information about data or a digital file, such as its size, creation date, or author

2. (noun) data that describes other data, used to organize and understand information

Examples

1. The file's metadata shows it was created last Tuesday.
2. Search engines use metadata to help index and rank web pages.

How to use metadata

Metadata is a technical term used primarily in computing, information management, and digital systems to refer to structured information that characterizes other data. It is used neutrally in professional and academic contexts when discussing file organization, digital asset management, or data processing systems. The term is especially common in discussions of databases, digital libraries, and content management.

Common phrases

metadata extraction
embed metadata
metadata tags
metadata management
metadata analysis
strip metadata

Synonyms

data about data · descriptive information · file information

Word family

metadatum (singular)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes treat 'metadata' as countable (using 'metadatas' as a plural), when the standard plural in technical contexts is 'metadata' (unchanged) or occasionally 'metadatum' for a single item.

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