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
Lucas Brefka, The Conversation, 19 May 2025
Regardless, this round of the series is not resonating with my adult, parenting self or my inner sullen teen, i.e. the part of my being that guides many of my rash decisions and dictates my slouchy posture.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Smuggler’s Copter is obviously a very famous card in Magic history, but also just the flavor of Smuggler’s Copter being, in the original set, for a pair of sky pirates.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 16 May 2025
Not only have all our closest evolutionary cousins gone extinct, but so has a significant amount of the planet’s biodiversity, from the smallest to the biggest of beings.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for being
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
This process, called accretion, is how everything in the solar system – planets, moons, comets and asteroids – came into being.
—Lucas Brefka, The Conversation, 19 May 2025
Regardless, this round of the series is not resonating with my adult, parenting self or my inner sullen teen, i.e. the part of my being that guides many of my rash decisions and dictates my slouchy posture.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Smuggler’s Copter is obviously a very famous card in Magic history, but also just the flavor of Smuggler’s Copter being, in the original set, for a pair of sky pirates.
—Jennifer Maas, Variety, 16 May 2025
Not only have all our closest evolutionary cousins gone extinct, but so has a significant amount of the planet’s biodiversity, from the smallest to the biggest of beings.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 11 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 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share