entity

American  

[en-ti-tee] / ˈɛn tɪ ti /

noun

plural

entities

1. something that has a real existence; thing.

   corporeal entities.

2. being or existence, especially when considered as distinct, independent, or self-contained.

   He conceived of society as composed of particular entities requiring special treatment.

3. essential nature.

   The entity of justice is universality.

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entity British  

/ ˈɛntɪtətɪv, ˈɛntɪtɪ /

noun

1. something having real or distinct existence; a thing, esp when considered as independent of other things

2. existence or being

3. the essence or real nature

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Other Word Forms

• entitative adjective
• entitatively adverb

Etymology

Origin of entity

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin entitās, from enti-, stem of ēns “being” (present participle of esse “to be”; essence ( def. ) ) + -tās -ty ²

Example Sentences

TikTok then struck a deal to create a new U.S. entity to avoid a ban.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Unilever and its shareholders will receive shares equating to 65% of the new entity.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Since then, John Fisher’s older brother, Bob, has helped launch a Lurie-backed group called the San Francisco Downtown Development Corporation, a City Hall-aligned entity charged with revitalizing the district.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

He has even launched his own foundation, a Panama-based entity from which he hopes to offer a “rejuvenation cocktail,” a gene therapy that boosts follistatin, klotho, and SIRT1, another protein said to bolster longevity.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

The economy now can be thought of as an entity which responds to actions by central banks; we call that monetary policy.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• body
• individual