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 of entity

• 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

Tennessee law prohibits the public disclosure of any individual or entity involved in procuring lethal substances or carrying out executions. — CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026

In a statement responding to questions about the acquisition and how that may affect leadership, a T5 representative said that T5@Chi IV, the entity that holds the zoning approvals for the Cornerstone Development, has not merged or been acquired. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026

Certain Anthropic board members and entities affiliated or associated ‌with them ⁠have indicated interest in buying up to $303 million of shares from the offering. — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2026

Banks already use the system to move tokenized representations of collateral between entities within the same institution, allowing the underlying securities to remain immobilized while the digital representation moves. — Isabella Gao, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2026

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