existence

noun

ex·is·tence | \ ig-ˈzi-stən(t)s

Definition of existence

1a : the state or fact of having being especially independently of human consciousness and as contrasted with nonexistence the existence of other worlds

b : the manner of being that is common to every mode of being

c : being with respect to a limiting condition or under a particular aspect

2 : actual or present occurrence existence of a state of war

3a(1) : the totality of existent things

(2) : a particular being all the fair existences of heaven— John Keats

b : sentient or living being : life

c : reality as presented in experience

d obsolete : reality as opposed to appearance

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Examples of existence in a Sentence

She began to doubt the existence of God. the existence of UFO's is something that people continue to argue about

Recent Examples on the Web

And today's a pretty good day to learn about its existence, considering a bunch of their goods—like a slim-fit Oxford shirt and denim jacket—are all on sale. — Jessica Kasparian, USA TODAY, "The best Amazon Prime Day deals on clothing, shoes, and more," 15 July 2019 That notion was officially debunked in 2013 when the CIA confirmed its existence through documents obtained in a public records request by George Washington University. — Michael Brice-saddler, Anchorage Daily News, "Half a million people signed up to storm Area 51. What happens if they actually show up?," 13 July 2019 That notion was officially debunked in 2013 when the CIA confirmed its existence through documents obtained in a public records request by George Washington University. — oregonlive.com, "Half a million people signed up to storm Area 51. What happens if they actually show up?," 13 July 2019 While the new Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act in Illinois allows recreational marijuana use by adults starting Jan. 1, 2020, the law also gives municipalities the power to regulate such businesses, including their existence locally. — Chuck Fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Oak Brook looks to ban marijuana-related businesses," 11 July 2019 And there’s nothing on earth more horrifying than existence itself. — Alissa Wilkinson, Vox, "Midsommar," 2 July 2019 Winogrand refuses to recognize the relevance — maybe even the existence — of either category. — Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, "Garry Winogrand, that master of black-and-white, was a master of color, too," 20 June 2019 The show’s very existence is a rebuke to anyone daring to call clothes and fashion trivial. — Paige Hymson, latimes.com, "Play Next: Female survivors share their stories on the ‘Man in the Window’ podcast," 18 June 2019 But when a brand ambassador’s very existence is questionable — especially in an environment studded with deceptive deepfakes, bots and fraud — what happens to the old virtue of truth in advertising? — New York Times, "These Influencers Aren’t Flesh and Blood, Yet Millions Follow Them," 17 June 2019

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