entity

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noun en·ti·ty \ ˈen-tə-tē , ˈe-nə- \

Definition of entity

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

See entity defined for English-language learners

See entity defined for kids

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

The lawsuit filed by Kamden's mother, Jasmyn Williams Johnson, alleges negligence and wantonness against Community Church Ministries, Inc. and its related entities.

— prescotte stokes iii, AL.com, "Lawsuit filed citing 'negligence' against Mobile daycare owners in a deceased child case," 23 Aug. 2017
Alas, like so many other entities branded by our president, the Trump economy is far less than meets the eye.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "The Trump Economy Is a Gilded Mediocrity," 20 Aug. 2017
The properties can be sold or transferred to another entity once they are declared surplus, Mumby explained.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Harford seeks to sell off Bel Air 'tire lot' and property in Street," 17 Aug. 2017
The purchase, from an entity called New South Philly LP, closed on Thursday, Dalzell managing partner Christian Dalzell said in an email.

— jacob adelman, Philly.com, "Conn.-based investor pays $10.8M for South Street apartments," 15 Aug. 2017
An internal audit of the county's billing practices for certain police services provided to private entities, such as directing traffic outside major concerts, has found lapses in reimbursements.

— Howard County Times, "Paying for police overtime services [Editorial]," 10 Aug. 2017
Excepting those of Sponsor, the image must not contain or reference any names, products or services of any company or entity or any third party trademarks, logos, trade dress or promotion of any brand, product or service.

— Country Living, "Find the Horseshoe Sweepstakes September 2017," 25 July 2017
Refugee advocates as well as government entities, including the bipartisan U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, have long raised concerns about the failure of U.S. border agents to comply with asylum safeguards at the southern border.

— jenna gilbert, Teen Vogue, "U.S. Border Agents May Be Illegally Blocking Asylum Seekers From Crossing the Border," 17 July 2017
Q: What has happened to entities within OSTP like the National Ocean Council, and the Arctic Executive Steering Council?

— jeffrey mervis, Science | AAAS, "Q&A: Former Obama science adviser John Holdren on the White House science office and Trump’s science policy," 12 July 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1596

See Words from the same year

entity Synonyms

Synonyms

being, commodity, existent, individual, individuality, integer, object, reality, something, substance, thing

Related Words

body, subject; material, matter, quantity, stuff

Near Antonyms

nonentity

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

ENTITY Defined for English Language Learners

entity

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noun

Definition of entity for English Language Learners

: something that exists by itself : something that is separate from other things

Medical Dictionary

entity

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noun en·ti·ty \ ˈen(t)-ət-ē \

medical Definition of entity

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

Law Dictionary

entity

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noun en·ti·ty \ ˈen-ti-tē \

legal Definition of entity

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