Showing results for "being"

• present participle of be.

being

American  

[bee-ing] / ˈbi ɪŋ /

noun

• beings
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• nonbeing
  noun
• superbeing
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• beings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of being

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

Explanation

A being is any living creature, from a person to a bug. Being also refers to the state of existing. "To be, or not to be" — that is the question when you're talking about being. Things that exist are in a state of being: this meaning of being is a little vague, but it has to do with the way things are alive and real. The other meaning is easier: beings are living things. Every person is a being, and so is every animal. Beings are no longer in a state of being when they're dead.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

being beings

“Nick is incarcerated and his basic needs — housing, food, medical care — are being met by the State,” the filing said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

However, it is understood City do not see the potential transfer as being over and still think Chelsea want to do a deal.

From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026

Another consequence of relying on a sympathetic machine: It’s less likely to tell you when you’re being a jerk.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

Worthiness is a tougher bar to clear than being chosen for greatness.

From Salon ● Aug. 16, 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

The bear senses Mr. Hoffman’s presence, then the two beings come into mutual focus:

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

"We need to all rethink and start thinking of each other as human beings, all entitled to our own opinions."

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

"I would like people to see dogs as emotional beings," says Cuaya.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026

Suraci stressed that large carnivores, like any species, have inherent value beyond the services they provide to human beings -- but said that failing to make the economic case would be a disservice to them.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

A foreign diplomat told a reporter, “You can’t believe it’s possible that human beings can be so regimented or that, in such a short time, an entire nation could have become so war-minded.”

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti