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
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.
Conjunction
being as how I paid for lunch, I'd appreciate it if you picked up the tab for dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
On a remote Scottish isle, siblings Isla and Sandy hunt birds and talk to mythical beings while fighting off outsiders.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
One of the most common is Salmonellosis, caused by the Salmonella bacteria, which can lead to food poisoning with the symptoms most common being fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
This is a world Trump has helped bring into being.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for being
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
For that reason, for the time being, the Observer will continue to allow Heuer’s home to be listed in the holiday lights guide.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
On a remote Scottish isle, siblings Isla and Sandy hunt birds and talk to mythical beings while fighting off outsiders.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
One of the most common is Salmonellosis, caused by the Salmonella bacteria, which can lead to food poisoning with the symptoms most common being fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
This is a world Trump has helped bring into being.
—Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for being
Cite this Entry
“Being.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/being. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
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