entity

noun

Save Word

en·ti·ty | \ ˈen-tə-tē

, ˈe-nə- \

plural entities

Definition of entity

1a : 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

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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 Current allegations made by the Angolan attorney general include a 2006 deal involving Sonangol and Exem Energy BV, an entity owned by Isabel and her husband. — Chidinma Irene Nwoye, Quartz Africa, "Why Angola had to freeze the personal assets of Africa’s richest woman," 9 Jan. 2020 Under state law, a conservation restriction must be held by an entity separate from the landowner. — BostonGlobe.com, "Conservation restriction placed on land in Somerville - The Boston Globe," 23 Dec. 2019 Taking a tax that was voted on (aquifer protection) and moving it to an entity (SAWS) that will add it to their rate structure and doesn’t have to be voted on is bad policy. — Bruce Selcraig, ExpressNews.com, "San Antonio mayor’s aquifer maneuvering surprised — and annoyed — Council allies," 12 Dec. 2019 The pivots were once the property of Kingman Farms, an entity owned by Las Vegas housing developer Jim Rhodes. — AZCentral.com, "These 7 industrial farm operations are draining Arizona's aquifers, and no one knows exactly how much they're taking," 5 Dec. 2019 One shredded piece of metal displayed to reporters bore the logo of Shahid Bakeri Industrial Group, an Iranian defense entity under U.S. sanctions. — NBC News, "Officials: U.S. Navy seizes suspected Iranian missile parts set for Yemen," 4 Dec. 2019 If the review committee approves designs, the organization will next focus on getting member countries to ratify an SKA treaty that forms an international legal entity that can collect funding and award contracts. — Dennis Normile, Science | AAAS, "Giant radio telescope array prepares to begin construction in Australia and South Africa," 25 Nov. 2019 Eggleston is aiming to produce art from an entity without qualities. — Lynne Tillman, Harper's magazine, "Roy Meets World," 25 Nov. 2019 An entity that did not speak about the bill Monday but is lobbying the issue is Johnson & Johnson, which makes several sunscreens with oxybenzone. — Ana Ceballos, sun-sentinel.com, "Florida lawmakers moving quickly to kill local sunscreen bans," 5 Nov. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

25 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Entity.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/entity. Accessed 28 January 2020.

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More Definitions for entity

entity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of entity

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

See the full definition for entity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

entity

noun

en·ti·ty | \ ˈen(t)-ət-ē

plural entities

Medical Definition of entity

: 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

entity

noun

en·ti·ty | \ ˈen-ti-tē

plural entities

Legal Definition of entity

: 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

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