informations

Information is a noun that denotes data that have meaning or relevance to a person or a system. In standard English, information is usually treated as an uncountable mass noun. The form informations is uncommon and generally considered nonstandard in everyday usage. In some languages, notably French, informations is the plural form. In English, you typically say pieces of information or items of information, but not informations except in quoted or specialized contexts.

Information derives from Latin informatio, via Old French informatione, and has been used in English since the Middle Ages. It covers knowledge in general as well as data that reduce uncertainty. The plural form informations appeared in older or specialized texts but fell out of favor for ordinary use.

In information theory, information is a technical measure of uncertainty reduction, quantified in units such as bits or nats. In computing and data management, information is related to data but distinct: data are raw symbols, while information is the meaning or value derived from them. The phrase raw information is common, and information literacy refers to the ability to locate, evaluate, and apply it. The word information also appears in phrases like information security, information systems, and information policy.

Usage guidelines emphasize phrases such as three pieces of information, a piece of information, or a large amount of information. When referring to multiple items, prefer pieces or items of information rather than informations. In general writing, avoid the nonstandard plural form except in quoted material or language-specific contexts.

See also: data, information theory, information security, misinformation.