existing

American  

[ig-zis-ting] / ɪgˈzɪs tɪŋ /

adjective

1. already or previously in place, before being replaced, altered, or added to.

   Fundraising costs money, and recruiting new donors is more expensive than asking existing supporters to give a little more.

2. having actual being or life.

   The great ornithologist Alexander Wetmore, who died in 1978, allegedly declared that all existing species of birds had already been discovered.

3. occurring in a specified place or under specified conditions.

   Members of committees dealing with the behavior of intelligence services met to discuss the existing challenges and exchange best practices.

4. achieving only the basic needs of existence, as food and shelter.

   Forrest Bess was a marginally existing bait fisherman and artist who lived in a ramshackle cabin on the Gulf of Mexico.

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Other Word Forms

• nonexisting adjective
• unexisting adjective

Etymology

Origin of existing

exist ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

But it raises an interesting point about what might and might not be achievable in the grand vision for the theme park to rival the biggest and best existing equivalents around the world.

From BBC

However, the authors caution that existing evidence does not offer much optimism.

From Science Daily

Some elements of the new law will simplify and codify existing best practices.

From The Wall Street Journal

In addition to its own properties such as Jurassic Park, How to Train Your Dragon, and classic monsters, Universal’s existing parks use licensed properties including Harry Potter and Nintendo.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ishihara says the cluster of chips occupy part of an existing facility at what’s known as a “collocation” site, rather than being housed in its own server warehouse.

From Barron's

Related Words

• actual
• current
• extant