1
a
: the quality or state of having existence
a social movement that came into being in the 1960s
artistic form comes into being only when two elements are successfully fused—
Carlos Lynes
Carlos Lynes
b(1)
: something that is conceivable and hence capable of existing
(2)
: something that actually exists
(3)
: the totality of existing things
c
: conscious existence : life
2
: the qualities that constitute an existent thing : essence
I knew it was true in the core of my being.
especially
: personality
3
: a living thing
sentient beings
a mythical being
: present
—used in the phrase for the time being
plans to remain single for the time being
being
4 of 4present participle of be
Synonyms
Examples of being in a Sentence
Noun
a social movement that was brought into being in the 1960s
I knew it was true in the core of my being.
Recent Examples on the WebDavid Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
The fabric of my being was too frayed, and holding anything more would force it apart.
—Chloé Cooper Jones Emily Woo Zeller Krish Seenivasan Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
The children were not the only beings in the home who were subjected to their parent’s cruel treatment.
—Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
The freedom of women is narrowed not only by men (and the social and political order established by men) but also by their own propensity for love—even the love of men who bear doom in their very being.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
For the time being, decisions about whether to fluoridate community water systems are still made primarily at the local level, which Barrett hopes will change.
—Melba Newsome, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Both members of the family who appear on franchise shows draw on their Lakota heritage to create their Indigenous characters, with the uncle's being, simply, Mo Brings Plenty.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2024
Transcending our physical human limitations to become an upgraded, augmented, and even immortal being, replacing our limbs with robotics and our minds with artificial intelligence.
—Tracey Follows, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The birth chart is divided into 12 distinct areas, known as houses, each representing an essential aspect of our being.
—Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Noun
There are no Bonobos locations in Wisconsin, with the closest being in Chicago, which has four.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024
The fabric of my being was too frayed, and holding anything more would force it apart.
—Chloé Cooper Jones Emily Woo Zeller Krish Seenivasan Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024
The children were not the only beings in the home who were subjected to their parent’s cruel treatment.
—Stephanie Kaloi, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
The freedom of women is narrowed not only by men (and the social and political order established by men) but also by their own propensity for love—even the love of men who bear doom in their very being.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
For the time being, decisions about whether to fluoridate community water systems are still made primarily at the local level, which Barrett hopes will change.
—Melba Newsome, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
Both members of the family who appear on franchise shows draw on their Lakota heritage to create their Indigenous characters, with the uncle's being, simply, Mo Brings Plenty.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2024
Transcending our physical human limitations to become an upgraded, augmented, and even immortal being, replacing our limbs with robotics and our minds with artificial intelligence.
—Tracey Follows, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The birth chart is divided into 12 distinct areas, known as houses, each representing an essential aspect of our being.
—Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'being.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near being
Cite this Entry
“Being.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/being. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
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