entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen-tə-tē 

ˈe-nə-

plural entities

1

a

: 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

Synonyms of entity

• object
• substance
• reality
• individual

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

The military isn’t the only government entity working with the UFC — the FBI recently hosted a training partnership with UFC fighters. —Paula Chesley, STAT, 3 June 2026

So while there could be multiple sales taxes, also referred to as district taxes, within a county – issued by a county, city or local district, or a combination of these entities – those tax rates, taken together, can’t add up to more than 2%. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 3 June 2026

The combined entity is the largest domestic producer of sustainable sturgeon caviar in the United States. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026

The exhibitors are a broad mix of familiar consumer tech giants, startups, cloud computing entities, semiconductor firms, OEMs, and component and system makers. —John Burek, PC Magazine, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin entitas, from Latin ent-, ens existing thing, from coined present participle of esse to be — more at is

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing entity

• flow-through entity
• pass-through entity

Rhymes for entity

• identity
• nonentity

Kids Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈent-ət-ē 

plural entities

: something existing or thought of as existing as a separate and independent thing

Medical Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen(t)-ət-ē 

plural entities

: 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

Legal Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen-ti-tē 

plural entities

: 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