metadata
noun
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How Metadata Was Formed
It's easy to find data on the source of "metadata": the word was formed by combining "data" with "meta-," which means "transcending" and is often used to describe a new but related discipline designed to deal critically with the original one. "Meta-" was first used in that way in "metaphysics" and has been extended to a number of other disciplines, giving us such words as "metapsychology" and "metamathematics." "Metadata" takes the "transcending" aspect a step further, applying it to the concept of pure information instead of a discipline. "Metadata" is a fairly new word (it appeared in the latter half of the 20th century), whereas "data" can be traced back to the middle of the 17th century.
Examples of metadata in a Sentence
David G.w. Birch, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The patent describes a system that analyzes paused frames, uses metadata to identify objects in the frame, and sends that data to a network.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2025
The notice on the company website was not dated, but its metadata showed it was compiled on April 19.
—Amy Lv and Lewis Jackson, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
However, agreeing to this also means Google's AI will analyze more of your inbox activity, including message content and metadata, to personalize your experience.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metadata
Cite this Entry
“Metadata.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metadata. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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