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fact
The definition of a fact is something that is true or something that has occurred or has been proven correct.
(noun)- An example of a fact is that the world is round.
- An example of a fact is the detail about a driver texting while driving that is told to the court and reported in a news story.
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See fact in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a deed; act: now esp. in the sense of “a criminal deed” in the phrases and : an accessory after the fact
- a thing that has actually happened or that is really true; thing that has been or is
- the state of things as they are; reality; actuality; truth: fact as distinct from fancy
- something said to have occurred or supposed to be true: to check the accuracy of one's facts
- Law an actual or alleged incident or condition, as distinguished from its legal consequence
Origin: L factum, that which is done, deed, fact, neut. pp. of facere, do
See fact in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- Knowledge or information based on real occurrences: an account based on fact; a blur of fact and fancy.
- a. Something demonstrated to exist or known to have existed: Genetic engineering is now a fact. That Chaucer was a real person is an undisputed fact.b. A real occurrence; an event: had to prove the facts of the case.c. Something believed to be true or real: a document laced with mistaken facts.
- A thing that has been done, especially a crime: an accessory before the fact.
- Law The aspect of a case at law comprising events determined by evidence: The jury made a finding of fact.
Origin:
Origin: Latin factum, deed
Origin: , from
Origin: neuter past participle of facere, to do; see dhē- in Indo-European roots
. Usage Note: Fact has a long history of usage in the sense “allegation of fact,” as in “This tract was distributed to thousands of American teachers, but the facts and the reasoning are wrong” (Albert Shanker). This practice has led to the introduction of the phrases true facts and real facts, as in The true facts of the case may never be known. These usages may occasion qualms among critics who insist that facts can only be true, but the usages are often useful for emphasis.Learn more about fact
