Definition of entity
entities
1a : being, existence; especially : independent, separate, or self-contained existenceb : 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
Explore M-W
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 of entity from the Web
-
Trump's latest budget proposal would prohibit any funding for certain entities that provide abortions, including Planned Parenthood.
-
The new sanctions will apply a travel ban and asset freeze to 14 people and four North Korean entities.
-
The U.N. Security Council has unanimously approved a resolution adding 15 North Korean individuals and four entities linked to the country’s nuclear and missile programs to a U.N. sanctions blacklist.
-
This is a recognition that Europe legally has to negotiate as one entity, said Gary Hufbauer, a trade expert at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
-
Christiana Figueres, a former top United Nations climate official, said there was currently no formal mechanism for entities that were not countries to be full parties to the Paris accord.
-
And as the company presses forward on its distribution center expansion, some coastal Alabama entities are hoping to see some benefits.
-
The City Council was amenable to another entity taking over the car show, but some council members were not keen on losing the longtime car show host.
-
NBC News got ahold of a Trump Organization document concerning how the Organization is handling payments from various foreign entities.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entity'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of entity
Medieval Latin entitas, from Latin ent-, ens existing thing, from coined present participle of esse to be — more at is
First Known Use: 1596
Other Business Terms
ENTITY Defined for English Language Learners
entity
playDefinition of entity for English Language Learners
-
: something that exists by itself : something that is separate from other things
Medical Dictionary
entity
playMedical Definition of entity
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
Law Dictionary
entity
playLegal Definition of entity
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
Learn More about entity
-
See words that rhyme with entity Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for entity Spanish Central: Translation of entity Nglish: Translation of entity for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of entity for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up entity? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!