entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen-tə-tē 

ˈe-nə-

plural entities

1

a

: being, existence

especially : independent, separate, or self-contained existence

b

: the existence of a thing as contrasted with its attributes

2

: something that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality

3

: an organization (such as a business or governmental unit) that has an identity separate from those of its members

Synonyms

• object
• substance
• reality
• individual

Examples of entity in a Sentence

One division of the company was broken off as a separate entity.

the question of whether extrasensory perception will ever be a scientifically recognized entity

Recent Examples on the Web

The study surveyed 561 entities across 46 countries between 1992 and 2024, identifying 34 new investors. —Vas Panagiotopoulos, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025

The goal will be to find ways to find the most efficient and effective ways of using IoT, especially at a time when government entities are pulling away from environmental best practices. —Michael De Nil, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Highland Village claims Vides used his position to issue fraudulent payments to himself and worked with several business entities, including Will Vides Properties LLC and WV Systems LLC, to conceal the funds. —Doc Louallen, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025

That makes sense since a sponsor is a separate entity. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin entitas, from Latin ent-, ens existing thing, from coined present participle of esse to be — more at is

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing entity

• flow-through entity
• pass-through entity

Rhymes for entity

• identity
• nonentity

Kids Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈent-ət-ē 

plural entities

: something existing or thought of as existing as a separate and independent thing

Medical Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen(t)-ət-ē 

plural entities

: something (as a disease or condition) that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality

whether the common cold is an entity has been debated

—Year Book of Medicine

Legal Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen-ti-tē 

plural entities

: an organization (as a business or governmental unit) that has a legal identity which is separate from those of its members see also alter ego, instrumentality, juridical person, legal person, pierce