being

American  

[bee-ing] / ˈbi ɪŋ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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being Idioms  

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

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Other Word Forms

• nonbeing noun
• superbeing noun

Etymology

Origin of being

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

Example Sentences

“The onus is 100% on us to say: here is the value of being here,” said Remzi Arpaci-Dusseau, a professor of computer sciences at University of Wisconsin.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

These numbers cannot convey the giddy, fearful delight of being physically coupled to this 6,371-pound hammer when it leaves Thor’s hand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

He is being held on $6 million bail and is expected to appear at an arraignment hearing Monday at the Pomona Courthouse, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Meanwhile, the Canal and River Trust has warned there is a national problem with hundreds of Lime e-bikes being dumped in rivers and canals.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

He thinks he’s being generous enough by letting me be part of a swim club in that area.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam