entity

[ en-ti-tee ]

noun

, plural en·ti·ties.

1. something that has a real existence; thing:

   corporeal entities.

2. being or existence, especially when considered as distinct, independent, or self-contained:

   He conceived of society as composed of particular entities requiring special treatment.

3. essential nature:

   The entity of justice is universality.

entity

/ ˈɛntɪtətɪv; ˈɛntɪtɪ /

noun

1. something having real or distinct existence; a thing, esp when considered as independent of other things
2. existence or being
3. the essence or real nature

Derived Forms

• entitative, adjective

Other Words From

• en·ti·ta·tive [en, -ti-tey-tiv], adjective
• enti·tative·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of entity¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Medieval Latin entitās, from enti-, stem of ēns “being” (present participle of esse “to be”; essence ( def ) ) + -tās -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of entity¹

C16: from Medieval Latin entitās, from ēns being; see ens

Example Sentences

The defendants plus the party itself, as a legal entity, are accused of syphoning EU parliamentary funds to pay the salaries of party workers.

From BBC

We are facing an authoritarian regime that will do everything in its power to destroy liberal democracy, turn the U.S. into a kleptocratic entity and burn down our economy and standard of living.

From Salon

Nineteen amendments have been proposed by the Fair Game campaign group, including excluding the possibility that the owner of a club could be a state or state-controlled entity, and making the state of the game review assess player welfare, along with an examination of multi-club ownership.

From BBC

But I think I speak for everyone when I say the one entity I don’t need to hear anything from is the Harris-Walz campaign—which, incredibly, keeps asking me to send them more money.

From Slate

I again pleaded with the entity that is running this infernal simulation to please stop.

From Salon

Related Words

• body
• individual