big data
nounUK /ˌbɪɡ ˈdeɪtə/ · US /ˌbɪɡ ˈdeɪtə/
Etymology In 2000, economist Francis X. Diebold published the first version of a paper titled “Big Data Dynamic Factor Models for Macroeconomic Measurement and Forecasting.” After being interviewed on his use of the term “big data” by NYTimes.com blogger Steve Lohr, Diebold undertook his own investigation, in which he concluded: “The term ‘Big Data,’ which spans computer science and statistics/econometrics, probably originated in the lunch-table conversations at Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI) in the mid 1990s, in which John Mashey figured prominently.”
Data on a very large scale, such that it can only be gathered or processed with computers, especially with reference to its potential to allow for new breakthroughs or understanding in a particular field of study.
- The insights gained from big data can be used to improve products and customer service, but they can also be used in ways that creep out customers and make them feel uncomfortable or watched.2009 February, Roger Magoulas, Ben Lorica, “Big Data: Technologies and Techniques for Large-Scale Data”, in Release 2.0, number 11, O’Reilly Media, Inc., →ISSN, page 5:
- As we’ll discuss in more detail, the big data of this revolution is far more powerful than the analytics that were used in the past. We can measure and therefore manage more precisely than ever before. We can make better predictions and smarter decisions.2012 October 1, Andrew McAfee, Erik Brynjolfsson, “Big Data: The Management Revolution”, in Harvard Business Review, →ISSN:
2 more examples
- Big data has the potential to revolutionise the global healthcare system, but barriers to its adoption mean progress is slow.2015 October 23, Oliver Balch, “How much medical information would you share in the name of big data?”, in The Guardian, image caption:
- James Cheshire and Oliver Uberti’s enchanting and exhilarating annotated atlas of animal movements[…]is a product of ‘big data’ methodology.2016 November, Richard Smyth, “Bird's-Eye Viewing”, in Literary Review:
- Related terms
- analytics, big business, Big Business, big science, Big Science, big tech, Big Tech, data-driven, data mining, data trail, data warehouse