entity
Americannoun
plural
entities-
something that has a real existence; thing.
corporeal entities.
-
being or existence, especially when considered as distinct, independent, or self-contained.
He conceived of society as composed of particular entities requiring special treatment.
-
essential nature.
The entity of justice is universality.
noun
-
something having real or distinct existence; a thing, esp when considered as independent of other things
-
existence or being
-
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
Explanation
If your little sister turns her lemonade stand into a lemonade empire, she might incorporate it as a company. Under the law, it would be considered an entity, or a separate being for purposes of government control. The word entity originally meant "being, existence," and was borrowed from Medieval Latin entitas, from Latin ens, irregular form of esse "to be, exist." The suffix –ity means "quality or state." Medieval Christian philosophers, influenced by the Church Fathers and Aristotle, discussed the concept of ens "abstract being" versus esse "actual being."
Vocabulary lists containing entity
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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Vocabulary to Describe Literary Devices
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10 Tricky Words From 8th Grade Vocabulary Experts
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Apple’s investment consisted of $1.1 billion in funding for new satellites and paying $400 million for a 20% interest in the entity that will operate Globalstar’s new constellation.
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
A superatom is a quantum system made up of multiple natural atoms that share a single quantum state and respond to light as one entity.
From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026
I am the same entity you've been talking to.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
"It is sort of a unique entity and I guess that the people that set it up have felt that they don't have the the financial resources to subsidise the club."
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
According to Ivan’s description, a domovoi was a ghostly entity that would destroy the home unless appeased with sacrifices, and could shape-shift into a wolf or rat if it wanted.
From Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
