existence

[ ig-zis-tuhns ]

noun

1. the state or fact of existing; being.
2. continuance in being or life; life:

   a struggle for existence.

3. mode of existing:

   They were working for a better existence.

4. all that exists:

   Existence shows a universal order.

5. something that exists; entity; being.

existence

/ ɪɡˈzɪstəns /

noun

1. the fact or state of existing; being
2. the continuance or maintenance of life; living, esp in adverse circumstances

   she has a wretched existence

   a struggle for existence

3. something that exists; a being or entity
4. everything that exists, esp that is living

Other Words From

• postex·istence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of existence¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word ex(s)istentia. See exist, -ence

Example Sentences

If you are confident early on that the target committed serious crimes, there is always a temptation to will a prosecution into existence even when the facts, the law, or the fair-handed administration of justice do not support bringing charges.

From Vox

How can you properly legislate the ad industry if you do not understand the fundamental existence of the ad industry…but, I digress.

From Search Engine Land

Potts and Anthony Mallott, Byron’s son, have since acknowledged the existence of a nondisclosure agreement signed in September 2019 or later but declined to provide a copy.

From ProPublica

Although the existence of some kind of Dragon Age 4 was an open secret, it took years for the studio even to admit publicly there was indeed a new game in development.

From Ars Technica

It’s not known when people first inhabited Siberia year-round, but the new DNA analysis shows that woolly rhinos continued to thrive long after mobile human groups likely knew of the animals’ existence.

From Science News

I am so sorry that your parents did this to you, developing their own discriminatory take on your existence.

From The Daily Beast

That user's posts were being wiped completely from existence.

From The Daily Beast

Beech-Nut is still in existence, and is the third largest baby food manufacturer in the United States.

From The Daily Beast

“What they are really doing is justifying their existence,” Banes said.

From The Daily Beast

The cities of the heartland came into existence, first and foremost, as economic entities.

From The Daily Beast

Here and there roving parties appeared, but having no recognized leaders, their existence did not invalidate the treaty.

From Project Gutenberg

But the cavalry officer melted imperceptibly out of her existence.

From Project Gutenberg

He chiefly divided his time between the House of Lords and sitting at home, lamenting over his own ill-starred existence.

From Project Gutenberg

When Europeans, native travelers and mails were swept out of existence they fought each other.

From Project Gutenberg

The system had then been in existence, in a more or less informal way, for about eight years.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• continuation
• presence
• reality
• survival
• world