# big data

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/big-data
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. the industry or field

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic · Technical

the business or technology field that works with these huge amounts of information.

For teachers: the technological and commercial sector focused on the development and application of tools for large-scale data analysis.

- Many students are now studying big data to get jobs in the tech industry.
- The rise of big data has transformed how retail corporations predict consumer trends and manage their global supply chains.

Usage: Often functions as a compound noun or an attributive noun modifying another word, like 'big data analytics'.

## Examples

- Companies use big data to predict what customers will buy.
- Retailers analyze big data from millions of transactions to determine which products should be stocked in specific regions.
- The integration of big data into urban planning allows for real-time traffic management and more efficient allocation of public resources based on historical movement patterns.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.