existence

noun

ex·​is·​tence ig-ˈzi-stən(t)s 

1

a

: the state or fact of having being especially independently of human consciousness and as contrasted with nonexistence

the existence of other worlds

b

: the manner of being that is common to every mode of being

c

: being with respect to a limiting condition or under a particular aspect

2

: actual or present occurrence

existence of a state of war

3

a(1)

: the totality of existent things

(2)

: a particular being

… all the fair existences of heaven …

—John Keats

b

: sentient or living being : life

c

: reality as presented in experience

d

obsolete : reality as opposed to appearance

Synonyms of existence

• reality
• presence
• prevalence
• subsistence

Examples of existence in a Sentence

She began to doubt the existence of God.

the existence of UFO's is something that people continue to argue about

Recent Examples on the Web

Recorded at 115 Recording in Norman, Oklahoma, with producer Wes Sharon (Turnpike Troubadours), the album’s nine tracks successfully remove any guardrails that still may have been in existence. —Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2026

For many Georgians, the roads around Atlanta are not only essential for getting around the state's capital city, but also the bane of their existence. —Irene Wright, USA Today, 9 May 2026

Hartthijs de Vries, the 29-year-old who has been with the team for every year of their existence, hammers the pace at the front to keep the breakaway in check. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 9 May 2026

The group, loosely led by inquisitive ginger breed Lily (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and good-natured merino Mopple (Chris O’Dowd) enjoy a peaceful existence, with their favorite pastimes consisting of laying in the grass and listening to George read a nightly murder mystery story. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French existence, existance, borrowed from Late Latin existentia, exsistentia, noun derivative of existent-, existens/exsistent-, exsistens "having being, existent"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3d

Phrases Containing existence

• come into existence
• go out of existence
• struggle for existence

Rhymes for existence

• assistance
• consistence
• desistance
• insistence
• persistence
• resistance
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance
• magnetoresistance

Kids Definition

existence

noun

ex·​ist·​ence

ig-ˈzis-tən(t)s

1

: the fact or the state of having being or of being real

the largest animal in existence

2

: the state of being alive : life

owed my existence to a doctor's skill