entity

[ en-ti-tee ]

noun

, plural en·ti·ties.

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.

entity

/ 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

Derived Forms

• entitative, adjective

Other Words From

• en·ti·ta·tive [en, -ti-tey-tiv], adjective
• enti·tative·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of entity¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of entity¹

C16: from Medieval Latin entitās, from ēns being; see ens

Example Sentences

At some point, doing business with so many unique entities isn’t solely about efficiency that utilizes averages.

From Search Engine Land

In the collection view, reality isn’t really an entity in its own right, it’s just a label we give to the collection of things that happen to exist.

From Nautilus

The owner of the Sheraton didn’t respond to a request for comment, but the head of a hospitality trade group said the proposal would put restrictions on hotels, which are private entities, that no other businesses have.

From Voice of San Diego

San Diego County once bought 95 percent of its water from that entity.

From Voice of San Diego

It also requires companies to turn over vast amounts of information to government entities for the purpose of computing the score.

From Fortune

“The US cannot tolerate the idea of any rival economic entity,” Stone writes.

From The Daily Beast

If someone wants to ensure a direct and secure connection, no entity, whether a hotel or otherwise, should be able to block it.

From The Daily Beast

During pregnancy, then, CP could not be considered a separate legal entity from EQ.

From The Daily Beast

A nameless, faceless entity known to his followers as Spot News, the handle of his Twitter and Instagram accounts.

From The Daily Beast

UPDATE: "My firm has done nothing to shield anyone or any entity from any sanctions," Goldin told The Daily Beast in an email.

From The Daily Beast

Be that as it may, the Railway Clearing House, as a practical entity, came into being in 1842.

From Project Gutenberg

Not that it is any more frequent in England, however, but was there first recognised as a distinct pathological entity.

From Project Gutenberg

That mysterious entity which we call the ocean had nothing in its secret thoughts which he could not divine.

From Project Gutenberg

He produces nothing but Himself, He is entirely Himself; we are not dealing here with two things, but with a single entity.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever this entity might be, an entity it was, entirely distinct from his own conscious or subconscious mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• body
• individual