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database

B2
UK/ˈdeɪtəbeɪs/US/ˈdeɪt̬əbeɪs/ (also commonly /ˈdæt̬əbeɪs/)

Technical (but widely understood in general contexts)

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Definition

Meaning

A structured collection of data stored in a computer system, organized for efficient retrieval, management, and updating.

Any organized collection of information, sometimes used metaphorically for human memory or a repository of knowledge.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily refers to digital/electronic systems, though can be used analogously for paper-based systems. The concept emphasizes structure and searchability.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Spelling and pronunciation are identical. No significant usage differences.

Connotations

Identical; a neutral technical term.

Frequency

Equally common in both varieties.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
relational databasedatabase managementquery a databaseupdate the databasedatabase administratorcentralised database
medium
customer databasesearch the databaseaccess the databasemaintain a databasecomprehensive database
weak
large databaseonline databasecreate a databaseinformation databasecorporate database

Grammar

Valency Patterns

to database + information (verb, rare)a database of + [topic]to access/query/search + databasedatabase + contains/holds/stores + data

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

information system

Neutral

data repositorydata bankdataset

Weak

archiverecordscatalogueregister

Vocabulary

Antonyms

disorganized dataunstructured information

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “A walking database (informal: someone with vast knowledge).”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Refers to systems storing customer, product, or financial records for operational and analytical purposes.

Academic

Refers to curated collections of research data, bibliographic records, or experimental results.

Everyday

Used for personal contact lists, photo libraries, or any organized digital collection.

Technical

A structured set of data held in tables, with defined schemas, supporting queries via SQL or other languages.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • We need to database all the client feedback for future analysis.
  • The records have not yet been databased.

American English

  • We need to database all the customer feedback for future analysis.
  • The records haven't been databased yet.

adverb

British English

  • The information is stored database-style.
  • It was organised database-fashion for easy retrieval.

American English

  • The information is stored in a database-style format.
  • It was organized in a database-like way.

adjective

British English

  • She is the database administrator for our project.
  • We ran a database query to find the records.

American English

  • She is the database admin for our project.
  • We ran a database search to find the records.

Examples

By CEFR Level

A2
  • I have a database of my friends' phone numbers.
  • The teacher uses a database to keep our grades.
B1
  • The company's customer database is very large.
  • You can search the online database for the article you need.
B2
  • The new software allows us to query the database more efficiently.
  • Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date database is crucial for the marketing team.
C1
  • The researchers compiled a comprehensive relational database to correlate demographic variables with health outcomes.
  • Legacy systems often struggle to migrate data to modern, cloud-based databases.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a DATA BASE as the BASE or foundation where all your DATA is stored.

Conceptual Metaphor

DATABASE AS A CONTAINER/REPOSITORY (We 'put data into' it, 'pull data from' it).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid calque 'data base' as two separate words. Use the compound 'database'.
  • Do not confuse with 'archive' (архив), which implies historical/long-term storage.

Common Mistakes

  • Misspelling as two words: 'data base'.
  • Using 'database' for any simple list or file.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The librarian showed me how to to find journal articles.
Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the MOST defining characteristic of a database?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A spreadsheet is a single table for calculation and simple lists. A database typically involves multiple, interrelated tables with strict structure, supporting complex queries and concurrent user access.

Yes, but it is relatively rare and considered jargon (e.g., 'to database the results'). In most contexts, it's better to use phrases like 'enter into a database' or 'store in a database'.

In British English: /ˈdeɪtəbeɪs/. In American English, the middle 't' is often flapped, sounding like a soft 'd': /ˈdeɪt̬əbeɪs/. The first syllable can also be pronounced /ˈdæt̬ə-/ in the US.

Yes, 'databank' is a near-synonym, but it's slightly less common in technical contexts. 'Database' is the standard term in computing and business.

Collections

Part of a collection

Science and Technology

B1 · 47 words · Basic scientific concepts and modern technology.

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