exist

verb ex·ist \ ig-ˈzist \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of exist

intransitive verb

1 a : to have real being whether material or spiritual

did unicorns exist

the largest galaxy known to exist

b : to have being in a specified place or with respect to understood limitations or conditions

strange ideas existed in his mind

2 : to continue to be

racism still exists in society

3 a : to have life or the functions of vitality

we cannot exist without oxygen

b : to live at an inferior level or under adverse circumstances

the hungry existing from day to day

See exist defined for English-language learners

See exist defined for kids

Examples of exist in a Sentence

She believes that ghosts really do exist.
It's the largest galaxy known to exist.
Does life exist on Mars?
The Internet didn't exist then.
We shouldn't ignore the problems that exist in our own community.
Racism still exists in our society.
The organization may soon cease to exist if more funding isn't provided.

Recent Examples of exist from the Web

Even ignoring the mysterious business of raising existing workers’ productivity, three policies can greatly alleviate the effects of a shrinking working-age population.

— The Economist, "Many countries suffer from shrinking working-age populations," 5 May 2018
Assembly Bill 1138 from Assemblyman David Chiu, D-San Francisco, would require a statewide audit of all untested kits, providing a more accurate count of how many exist and how many years the backlog encompasses.

— anita chabria and darrell smith, sacbee, "This mother is demanding a test for DNA, even if it proves her son is guilty of rape | The Sacramento Bee," 4 May 2018
The hospital converted its existing 10-bed Level II NICU to Level III.

— naseem s. miller, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando Health receives A+ from Fitch," 4 May 2018
Yet the Verizon Hall stage – where the Philadelphia Orchestra will perform the opera May 12, 16, and 19 — wasn’t made for any kind of scenery, existing more to enshrine star talents in concert.

— david patrick stearns, Philly.com, "Philadelphia Orchestra 'Tosca' drama: From finding a fill-in diva to fitting it all on stage," 3 May 2018
But these influencers are just the marketing outreach for larger companies, and a lot of their personal wealth exists only online and in their imaginations.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "A Pyramid Scheme for the Social Media Generation," 3 May 2018
The same herbicide that would eliminate existing Dallisgrass and grassburs could be used to get rid of St. Augustine within Bermuda without harming the Bermuda.

— neil sperry, star-telegram, "Turf troubles? Here's advice to get you in the green again | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 2 May 2018
The dating profile can be created separate from an individual’s existing Facebook profile — and the user’s friends won’t be able to see it, the company said in a statement detailing the new feature.

— jennifer calfas, Time, "Facebook Is Launching a New Dating Feature to Compete With Tinder," 1 May 2018
The Alexandria City Council, despite pressure from about 50 local restaurateurs who nearly filled the council chambers Monday night, agreed to add 1 percent to its existing local meal tax and dedicate the revenue to affordable housing.

— patricia sullivan, Washington Post, "Alexandria set to increase local meals tax to 5 percent, highest in region," 30 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of exist

Latin exsistere to come into being, exist, from ex- + sistere to stand, stop; akin to Latin stare to stand — more at stand

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1568

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

exist Synonyms

EXIST Defined for English Language Learners

exist

verb

Definition of exist for English Language Learners

: to have actual being : to be real
: to continue to be or to live

EXIST Defined for Kids

exist

verb ex·ist \ ig-ˈzist \

Definition of exist for Students

existed; existing

1 : to have actual being : be real

Do unicorns exist?

2 : to be found : occur

Problems exist in every neighborhood.

3 : to continue to live

She barely earned enough to exist.

Word Root of exist

The Latin word sistere, meaning “to stand,” “to appear,” “to stop,” or “to put,” gives us the root sist. Words from the Latin sistere have something to do with standing, appearing, stopping, or putting. To assist, or help, is to stand by someone in order to give aid. To consist is to be made up of a number of thing put together. To exist, or have actual being, is to appear real. To persist is to refuse to stop doing or saying something.