Artificial Intelligence
Vector Database
Plain English
A database designed to find similar glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term.
Definition
A vector database stores and retrieves glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term based on vector representations, enabling similarity glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term and retrieval.
In practice
Used in AI glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term to find relevant information based on guideEmbeddingsWhat embeddings do, how they let AI understand meaning rather than match words, and what product teams need to know when working with semantic search or RAG.Open guide.
In context
It becomes necessary once similarity glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term is running over enough content that scanning everything on each query stops being viable.
The reality
glossaryPerformancePerformance refers to how quickly and efficiently a system responds to user actions and processes tasks.Open glossary term depends on glossaryIndexingIndexing is the process of organising and storing content in a way that makes it searchable and retrievable. It enables systems to quickly locate relevant information based on queries.Open glossary term, scale, and glossaryData QualityData quality is the degree to which data is accurate, complete, consistent, and reliable enough for the purpose it is being used for. It sets the ceiling on every decision, report, and model built on top of it.Open glossary term.
Compared with
Vector Database vs Traditional Database
A traditional database retrieves by exact match and defined relationships. A vector database retrieves by proximity in meaning, returning the nearest items rather than the matching ones: approximate by design.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is a vector database?
It is a database that stores and glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term using vector representations.
Why are vector databases used?
To enable similarity glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term and retrieval.
How do vector databases work?
By comparing numerical representations of glossaryDataData is raw, uninterpreted information collected and stored so it can be analysed, processed, or used to inform decisions. On its own it carries no meaning; context and interpretation are what make it useful.Open glossary term.
Where are vector databases used?
In AI, glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term, and recommendation glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term.
Related Services
Related Guides
Related Terms
