existence

[ ig-zis-tuh ns ]

/ ɪgˈzɪs təns /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR existence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or fact of existing; being.

continuance in being or life; life: a struggle for existence.

mode of existing: They were working for a better existence.

all that exists: Existence shows a universal order.

something that exists; entity; being.

Nearby words

exile, exilic, eximious, exine, exist, existence, existence theorem, existent, existential, existential psychology, existential quantifier

Origin of existence

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word ex(s)istentia. See exist, -ence

Related formspost·ex·ist·ence, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for existence

I am so sorry that your parents did this to you, developing their own discriminatory take on your existence.
Dear Leelah, We Will Fight On For You: A Letter to a Dead Trans Teen|Parker Molloy|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
That user's posts were being wiped completely from existence.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Beech-Nut is still in existence, and is the third largest baby food manufacturer in the United States.
The Flying Sorcery of Dr. Strange: Benedict Cumberbatch Is Marvel's Most Bizarre Magician|Rich Goldstein|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“What they are really doing is justifying their existence,” Banes said.
Special Forces’ $77M ‘Hustler’ Hits Back|Kevin Maurer|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The cities of the heartland came into existence, first and foremost, as economic entities.
The Rustbelt Roars Back From the Dead|Joel Kotkin, Richey Piiparinen|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They dare not let you live, for your existence spells their doom.
Under the Witches' Moon|Nathan Gallizier
In other forms the union of the grains by a calcareous or ferruginous cement necessitates the existence of distinct pylomes.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6|Various
The chair slowly and quite naturally was dropping out of existence.
Carriages & Coaches|Ralph Straus
It supposes in that to which it is applied a present existence; and is the negation of a beginning or of an end of that existence.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
How absurd would it be then to argue against the existence of customs or facts, from the silence of such scanty records as these!
Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume I (of 3)|Thomas Percy

British Dictionary definitions for existence

existence

/ (ɪɡˈzɪstəns) /

noun

the fact or state of existing; being

the continuance or maintenance of life; living, esp in adverse circumstancesa struggle for existence; she has a wretched existence

something that exists; a being or entity

everything that exists, esp that is living

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for existence

existence

late 14c., "reality," from Old French existence, from Medieval Latin existentia/exsistentia, from existentem/exsistentem (nominative existens/exsistens) "existent," present participle of Latin existere/exsistere "stand forth, appear," and, as a secondary meaning, "exist, be;" from ex- "forth" (see ex-) + sistere "cause to stand" (see assist).

existence

noun

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Origin of existence

Examples from the Web for existence

British Dictionary definitions for existence

existence

noun

Word Origin and History for existence

existence