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

Orange County isn’t the only entity benefitting from the popularity of Universal’s fourth theme park, which has been six years in the making. —Zoey Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025

That speculation quickly gained traction after the federal government stripped funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting last month — the CPB being the entity that funnels federal money to NPR and PBS stations nationwide. —Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

The powerful entity attacked Naruto’s home, the Hidden Tree Village, before his birth, and the boy’s father used his newborn son as a vessel to trap the demon. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025

The federal entity also underwrites music performance rights for all public stations as well as the cost of the Public Radio Satellite System, which Cincinnati Public Radio uses to distribute and receive programs from NPR, American Public Media, BBC and more, Eiswerth explained in his message. —Aaron Valdez, The Enquirer, 4 Aug. 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