being

American  

[bee-ing] / ˈbi ɪŋ /

noun

1. the fact of existing; existence (as opposed to nonexistence).

2. conscious, mortal existence; life.

   Our being is as an instantaneous flash of light in the midst of eternal night.

3. substance or nature.

   of such a being as to arouse fear.

4. something that exists.

   inanimate beings.

5. a living thing.

   strange, exotic beings that live in the depths of the sea.

6. a human being; person.

   the most beautiful being you could imagine.

7. (initial capital letter) God.

8. Philosophy.

   1. that which has actuality either materially or in idea.

   2. absolute existence in a complete or perfect state, lacking no essential characteristic; essence.

---

conjunction

1. Nonstandard. since; because; considering that (often followed by as, as how, orthat ).

   Being it's midnight, let's go home.

   Being as how you cooked supper, I'll do the dishes.

being British  

/ ˈbiːɪŋ /

noun

1. the state or fact of existing; existence

2. essential nature; self

   she put her whole being into the part

3. something that exists or is thought to exist, esp something that cannot be assigned to any category

   a being from outer space

4. a person; human being

5. (in the philosophy of Aristotle) actuality Compare becoming

---

being Idioms  

1. see for the moment (time being); other things being equal.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonbeing noun
• superbeing noun

Etymology

Origin of being

First recorded in 1250–1300; be + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

But Myela describes his feelings towards Simeone as being like a "toxic relationship".

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

These numbers cannot convey the giddy, fearful delight of being physically coupled to this 6,371-pound hammer when it leaves Thor’s hand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

"We went from being 'El Pupas - the jinxed ones', to a club that can compete against Barcelona and Real Madrid without fear," Myela says.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The pilot of the twin-engine, single-seat attack jet was able to fly out of Iranian airspace before ejecting from the aircraft and being rescued, they said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

“I wasn’t lying about being an Usher. I was lying about you being destined to enter the Afterlife tonight. The truth is… it’s the one night a soul should not enter the Afterlife.”

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman