ontology

[ on-tol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence or being as such.
2. (loosely) metaphysics.

ontology

/ ɒnˈtɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. philosophy the branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of being
2. logic the set of entities presupposed by a theory

Derived Forms

• ˌontoˈlogical, adjective
• ˌontoˈlogically, adverb

Other Words From

• on·to·log·i·cal [on-tl-, oj, -i-k, uh, l], onto·logic on·tol·o·gis·tic [on-tol-, uh, -, jis, -tik], adjective
• on·tolo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ontology¹

From the New Latin word ontologia, dating back to 1715–25. See onto-, -logy

Example Sentences

The presence of sector-specific data ontologies can make it hard for people outside the sector to benefit from new sources of data.

From MIT Technology Review

Legal personhood, ontology, and the nitty gritty of governance.

From Nautilus

But on the relative plane, Zen is this-worldly and does not deny ethics, or ontology for that matter.

From The Daily Beast

Materialism is for him a variety of ontology, involving the assumption that we know the essence of matter.

From Project Gutenberg

It is also distinguished from ontology, which investigates real existence or the theory of being.

From Project Gutenberg

Plato, therefore, took this vast stride of thought, and identified the ultimate notions of ethics and ontology.

From Project Gutenberg

It has only secondary forms of suggestion and support—the precarious evidence from special theorizing in ontology and metaphysics.

From Project Gutenberg

Ontology, now, is certainly not a fit subject for the consideration of the female mind.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• attitude
• doctrine
• idea
• ideology
• logic
• outlook
• reasoning
• system
• tenet
• theory
• thinking
• thought
• truth
• view
• viewpoint
• wisdom