Definition of exist
intransitive verb
1a : to have real being whether material or spiritual did unicorns exist the largest galaxy known to existb : 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
3a : to have life or the functions of vitality we cannot exist without oxygenb : to live at an inferior level or under adverse circumstances the hungry existing from day to day
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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
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The NSA has argued the lawsuit’s claims are far-fetched speculation about a program that may never have existed.
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The State Department of Environmental Conservation, which regulates organic recycling facilities, said that by the end of the year, new regulations would allow existing facilities to take in more food scraps.
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Sloss Furnaces includes 44 existing buildings and an 1881 iron ore blast furnace on a 15-acre site near downtown Birmingham.
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As China-EU economic and trade relations continue to grow, some existing differences between them may be eliminated while others arise, according to Ambassador Yang Yanyi, head of the Chinese mission to the EU.
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M1 Abrams, Char 2c, K-Wagen, and the Panzer VIII Maus—were eventually built, other designs like the Landkreuzer P.1000 Ratte were just too crazy to exist.
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A guy who exists to take off his shirt at a frat party.
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Each of the two buildings would have an 8-foot high brick base and metal cladding to match the design and exterior materials of existing buildings on the property.
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The separation means FDOT can build its new spans without touching the existing bridge.
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
First Known Use: circa 1568
EXIST Defined for English Language Learners
exist
playDefinition of exist for English Language Learners
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: to have actual being : to be real
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: to continue to be or to live
EXIST Defined for Kids
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.
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