fact

noun

1. 1

   a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

   first you must collect all the facts of the case

2. 2

   a concept whose truth can be proved

   scientific hypotheses are not facts

3. 3

   a statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened

   he supported his argument with an impressive array of facts

4. 4

   an event known to have happened or something known to have existed

   your fears have no basis in fact

   how much of the story is fact and how much fiction is hard to tell