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
Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Similarly, at least for the time being, Orozco’s congruence of store and gallery, of universal commodity and of global sculpture, emptied even of the most residual forms of tactility, has remained relatively illegible.
—Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
My Hindu beliefs teach me to see divinity in all beings, all paths, all of creation.
—Benjamin Liong Setiawan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Rivers are, for me, profoundly hopeful beings, presences in the landscape.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for being
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Noun
For the time being, the Red Bull leadership is seemingly focused on trying to get the best possible results.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Similarly, at least for the time being, Orozco’s congruence of store and gallery, of universal commodity and of global sculpture, emptied even of the most residual forms of tactility, has remained relatively illegible.
—Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025
My Hindu beliefs teach me to see divinity in all beings, all paths, all of creation.
—Benjamin Liong Setiawan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Rivers are, for me, profoundly hopeful beings, presences in the landscape.
—Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 30 May 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 17 Jun. 2025.
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