existence

noun

ex·​is·​tence ig-ˈzi-stən(t)s 

1

a

: 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

3

a(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 of existence

• reality
• presence
• prevalence
• subsistence

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

These candidate plumes would extend for anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 light-years beyond the extent of the main disk of the galaxy, but will require the full Rubin dataset, not just the incomplete First Look data that is accessible so far, to confirm their existence. —Big Think, 4 Nov. 2025

Forces beyond her control threaten both her own world and the trolls’ hidden existence. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025

The state agency said Fletcher hadn’t provided trip logistics, a resort address or any photo proof of the packrafts’ existence before Dean and his group canceled their plans. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2025

These settlement agreements were confidential — meaning that the women were legally barred from disclosing the amount or even the existence of a potential settlement. —Victoria Bekiempis, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French existence, existance, borrowed from Late Latin existentia, exsistentia, noun derivative of existent-, existens/exsistent-, exsistens "having being, existent"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3d

Phrases Containing existence

• come into existence
• go out of existence
• struggle for existence

Rhymes for existence

• assistance
• consistence
• desistance
• insistence
• persistence
• resistance
• subsistence
• coexistence
• nonexistence
• distance
• magnetoresistance

Kids Definition

existence

noun

ex·​ist·​ence

ig-ˈzis-tən(t)s

1

: the fact or the state of having being or of being real

the largest animal in existence

2

: the state of being alive : life

owed my existence to a doctor's skill