Metric Definition
A metric definition is the precise, agreed specification of how a business metric is calculated—which tables, filters, and formulas produce numbers like MRR, churn rate, or active users.
In Depth
Most "data trust" problems are actually definition problems: finance reports one churn number, the product dashboard shows another, and both queries are technically correct—they just define churn differently. A metric definition settles the question once: churn = subscriptions canceled in month / subscriptions active at month start, excluding trials. Written definitions make numbers comparable across teams and time, and they are equally valuable to AI query tools, which can only give consistent answers to "what's our churn?" if the calculation is pinned down somewhere.
How AI for Database Helps
AI for Database shows the exact SQL behind every metric it reports, so your team can verify and standardize on one definition.
Related Terms
KPI
Key Performance Indicator—a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively an organization is achieving its objectives.
Semantic Layer
An abstraction layer that translates complex database structures into business-friendly terms and metrics.
Business Glossary for AI
A business glossary for AI is a curated set of definitions for company-specific terms—what counts as an "active user", how "revenue" is calculated—provided to an AI system so it interprets questions the way the business does.
Churn Rate
The percentage of customers or subscribers who stop using a product or service during a given time period.
Ready to try AI for Database?
Query your database in plain English. No SQL required. Start free today.
Free plan available · No credit card required