being

[bee-ing]

noun

1. the fact of existing; existence (as opposed to nonexistence).

2. conscious, mortal existence; life.

   Our being is as an instantaneous flash of light in the midst of eternal night.

3. substance or nature.

   of such a being as to arouse fear.

4. something that exists.

   inanimate beings.

5. a living thing.

   strange, exotic beings that live in the depths of the sea.

6. a human being; person.

   the most beautiful being you could imagine.

7. (initial capital letter),  God.

8. Philosophy.

   1. that which has actuality either materially or in idea.

   2. absolute existence in a complete or perfect state, lacking no essential characteristic; essence.

conjunction

1. Nonstandard.,  since; because; considering that (often followed by as, as how, orthat ).

   Being it's midnight, let's go home.

   Being as how you cooked supper, I'll do the dishes.

being

/ ˈbiːɪŋ /

noun

1. the state or fact of existing; existence

2. essential nature; self

   she put her whole being into the part

3. something that exists or is thought to exist, esp something that cannot be assigned to any category

   a being from outer space

4. a person; human being

5. (in the philosophy of Aristotle) actuality Compare becoming

Other Word Forms

• nonbeing noun
• superbeing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of being¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; be + -ing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see for the moment (time being); other things being equal.

Example Sentences

The most at-risk women, as indicated by the Mirai model, might benefit from being screened every six months instead of once a year.

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Your stepson is estranged from your father and may even be unhappy with your being given a life estate in his father’s home.

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In 2015, Wylfa's last reactor was closed down and it began the long process of being decommissioned, ending 44 years of operations at the site.

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Turkish authorities deny the mayor's allegation that the judiciary is being used as a political tool.

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However, he was also critical of the way elite English rugby league is being run, suggesting it was heading for a "train crash" if it did not find ways to increase its revenue.

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