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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about existence

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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 At that time Maryland had only been in existence, in a practical sense, for not quite a year. — Kevin Dayhoff, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, 11 June 2021 Current law only gives full state funding to a handful of full-time virtual schools that were in existence before 2013, though those regulations were waived at the start of the pandemic. — Emily Donaldson, Dallas News, 10 June 2021 Then there is a third possibility: that the state is regarded by at least some Americans as a way to usher in a world in which all the problems of human existence are somehow resolved once and for all. — Samuel Gregg, National Review, 24 May 2021 Food consumption — and production — is central to human existence. — Michelle Mcmurry-heath Reprints, STAT, 23 May 2021 The sun has been the most reliable and important power source for the last four and a half billion years and will continue to be so for the rest of human existence. — Scott Kelly, Scientific American, 16 May 2021 How in the world does the person who made Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels even live on the same plane of human existence as the person who made Aladdin? — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 May 2021 Gordon-Reed’s education included an awakening to the complexity of human existence. — New York Times, 7 May 2021 Victor Velle’s new documentary explores environmental and consumption issues facing human existence. — John Benson, cleveland, 5 May 2021

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.