entity

noun en·ti·ty \ ˈen-tə-tē , ˈe-nə- \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: entity in a Sentence

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

In 2004, Lamo pleaded guilty to hacking The New York Times, among other entities.

— cyrus farivar, Ars Technica, "How did hacker Adrian Lamo die? Medical examiner couldn’t figure it out," 9 June 2018
There were three Boston newspaper entities and each had separate morning and evening editions.

— bob ryan, BostonGlobe.com, "Remembering my start, 50 years ago, at the Globe," 9 June 2018
While this outstrips the $80,000 tallied by the foundation in 2016, fewer entities are collecting funds this time, White-Seals said.

— janene holzberg, Howard County Times, "Shakespeare coming to the aid of Ellicott City in pair of benefit performances," 8 June 2018
Redevelopment officials say several business entities are interested in developing the site, which has access to Cline Avenue and the Gary/Chicago International Airport.

— gregory tejeda, Post-Tribune, "Gary hires firm to help sell off Genesis Center, Sears building," 8 June 2018
Matt Sparks, a spokesman for McCarthy, said his other fundraising entities have brought in an additional $18.4 million.

— anna edgerton, Bloomberg.com, "Fundraising Haul, Not Legislation, Is Ryan's Parting Gift to GOP," 8 June 2018
Ms Fan is one of dozens of celebrities who have registered corporate entities in Khorgos.

— The Economist, "A tax-evasion scandal ensnares Chinese film-production companies," 7 June 2018
Ed Stevenson, executive director of the DuPage Forest Preserve, said in a release the project is an example of what can happen when governmental entities and private businesses work together.

— staff report, Naperville Sun, "Newly open trail link connects Whalon Lake in Will County to Greene Valley preserve in DuPage," 4 June 2018
Following attempts by Russia and other hostile entities to influence the 2016 elections, Rubio has repeatedly sounded the alarm about attempts by foreign state actors to infiltrate election systems.

— anthony man, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Federal government OKs Florida’s request for $19.2 million in election security money," 4 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

entity Synonyms

Other Business Terms

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

ENTITY Defined for English Language Learners

entity

noun

Definition of entity for English Language Learners

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

Medical Dictionary

entity

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

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