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
Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025
For philosophers like Simone Weil and Iris Murdoch, the capacity to give true attention to another being lies at the absolute center of ethical life.
—D. Graham Burnett, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
More and more, Sister was a being that was beyond human, a figure of reverence and worship who possessed supernatural powers.
—Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025
While on the subject of Prime Video and its global streamer counterparts, there is hope that the 5% streaming levy outlined as part of the divisive Bill C-11 will finally be brought into being (though this will further antagonize Trump, who has rallied against foreign taxes on American companies).
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for being
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Noun
One editor even described it as a being in between a dill and bread and butter flavor.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2025
For philosophers like Simone Weil and Iris Murdoch, the capacity to give true attention to another being lies at the absolute center of ethical life.
—D. Graham Burnett, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
More and more, Sister was a being that was beyond human, a figure of reverence and worship who possessed supernatural powers.
—Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2025
While on the subject of Prime Video and its global streamer counterparts, there is hope that the 5% streaming levy outlined as part of the divisive Bill C-11 will finally be brought into being (though this will further antagonize Trump, who has rallied against foreign taxes on American companies).
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 Apr. 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 2 May. 2025.
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