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.

---

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

---

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

In doing so, the government has effectively reset the clock on groups that have operated in the region for decades, treating established entities as if they were unknown applicants.

From Salon

Representing multiple entities in pursuit of the same pots of money is a zero-sum game.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It could be foreign entities, it could be private equity, we really have no way of knowing who’s buying up this land,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The White House said the decision was taken because those entities "no longer serve American interests" and promote "ineffective or hostile agendas".

From BBC

“We’re not an entity that has worked in Gaza before, so we didn’t have this background, this baggage, that maybe could have affected things.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• body
• individual