being

noun

be·​ing ˈbē(-i)ŋ 

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

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

especially : person

a very sexual being

Synonyms of being

• person
• life
• man
• guy
• creature

Examples of being in a Sentence

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 Web

Vice Mayor Pam Bertani will assume the duties of mayor for the time being, according to Moy. —Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 9 June 2026

That’s certainly true, in the sense that entanglements among ancient, telepathic beings play out on a time scale us humans struggle to comprehend. —Alison Herman, Variety, 7 June 2026

The cast commits to the mounting insanity with every fiber of their being, bringing pathos and passion to these creatures of the night. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 7 June 2026

Morena Baccarin plays The Sorceress, a mysterious being who guards Greyskull Castle. —Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from gerund of been be

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing being

• all/other things being equal
• being watched
• come into being
• for the time being
• have a way of (being something or doing something)
• human being
• ill-being
• in/from the depths of someone's heart/soul/being
• play at being (something)
• well-being
• with every fiber of one's being

Rhymes for being

• agreeing
• decreeing
• foreseeing
• nonbeing
• sightseeing
• unseeing
• disagreeing
• guaranteeing
• overseeing
• refereeing
• feeing
• fleeing

Kids Definition

being

noun

be·​ing

ˈbē-iŋ

1

: the state of having life or existence

2

: one that exists in fact or thought

3

: a living thing

especially : human being