entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen-tə-tē 

ˈe-nə-

plural entities

1

a

: being, existence

especially : independent, separate, or self-contained existence

b

: the existence of a thing as contrasted with its attributes

2

: something that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality

3

: an organization (such as a business or governmental unit) that has an identity separate from those of its members

Synonyms of entity

• object
• substance
• reality
• individual

Examples of entity in a Sentence

One division of the company was broken off as a separate entity.

the question of whether extrasensory perception will ever be a scientifically recognized entity

Recent Examples on the Web

The Treasury Department on Tuesday sanctioned 27 Iranian airlines and a handful of other entities as part of its ongoing effort to isolate Iran's economy. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

With the Television Academy having declared their intent to turn the Emmy Awards into a more cohesive entity, the ceremony once known as the Creative Arts Emmy Awards is now just supposed to be called The Emmys. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

In March, a California state appellate court ordered the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office to comply with a subpoena from an oversight entity for records related to a whistleblower inquiry. — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

In mid-August, Google launched Operation Blue Skies, in cooperation with several major UK entities, to target the Shanwick Oceanic corridor in the North Atlantic. — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin entitas, from Latin ent-, ens existing thing, from coined present participle of esse to be — more at is

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing entity

• flow-through entity
• pass-through entity

Rhymes for entity

• identity
• nonentity

Kids Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈent-ət-ē 

plural entities

: something existing or thought of as existing as a separate and independent thing

Medical Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen(t)-ət-ē 

plural entities

: something (as a disease or condition) that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality

whether the common cold is an entity has been debated

—Year Book of Medicine

Legal Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen-ti-tē 

plural entities

: an organization (as a business or governmental unit) that has a legal identity which is separate from those of its members see also alter ego, instrumentality, juridical person, legal person, pierce