Cloud, data & platform systems · Core
Metadata
Also called: data about data
ELI5
Information that explains what data means and where it came from.
Used in conversation
“The metric catalogue stores metadata for each KPI.”
Definition
Data describing other data, such as definition, source, owner, format or update time.
Here “Metadata” means: Data describing other data, such as definition, source, owner, format or update time.
Pitch context
You will see “Metadata” in product strategy decks, roadmaps, experiments and architecture reviews when the discussion reaches cloud, data & platform systems.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret cloud, data & platform systems without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Sources & evidence · 2
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Scrum Guides — The Scrum Guide — official current versionSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16