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
The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
The future of climbing must create space not just for diverse bodies, but for diverse ways of being, celebrating, and moving through vertical space.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
Labor costs Asked if advances in modular construction might address some of the problems, Pali noted that for the time being, modularity is only somewhat helpful.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for being
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Noun
Social theory attempts to explain ways-of-being, power structures and dynamics, and other social phenomena.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 10 Sep. 2025
Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.
—Leia Mendoza, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
The future of climbing must create space not just for diverse bodies, but for diverse ways of being, celebrating, and moving through vertical space.
—Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 9 Sep. 2025
Labor costs Asked if advances in modular construction might address some of the problems, Pali noted that for the time being, modularity is only somewhat helpful.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 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 Sep. 2025.
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