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entity

noun
en·​ti·​ty | \ ˈen-tə-tē How to pronounce entity (audio) , ˈe-nə-\
plural entities

Definition of entity

1a : being, existence especially : independent, separate, or self-contained existence
b : the existence of a thing as contrasted with its attributes
2 : something that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality
3 : an organization (such as a business or governmental unit) that has an identity separate from those of its members
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about entity

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Examples of entity in a Sentence

One division of the company was broken off as a separate entity. the question of whether extrasensory perception will ever be a scientifically recognized entity

Recent Examples on the Web

 With Article 370 out of the way, a resolution was put before parliament to revoke Jammu & Kashmir’s status as a state and to carve out Ladakh as a separate entity. — The Economist, "India abruptly ends the last special protection enjoyed by Kashmir," 6 Aug. 2019 Two years after, Brewer forged a letter that transferred the mortgage from his investor to an entity that Brewer controlled. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "After receiving $9 million, Winter Park man pleads guilty to money laundering and fraud," 5 Aug. 2019 Reports suggest Trump will refrain from speaking about a Palestinian state but will instead refer to an entity with an Arab presence in East Jerusalem. — Fox News, "Trump to pitch Israeli-Palestinian peace plan at Camp David summit with Arab leaders: reports," 31 July 2019 The curious thing about Portman’s Foster assuming the title of Thor is that Foster has been a non-entity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for more than six years. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "Thor 4: Natalie Portman will play Thor! Wow! Wait. What?," 23 July 2019 Support for the homeless The REALTOR® Foundation is the charitable arm of MIBOR and operates as a non-profit entity to which MIBOR members can voluntarily contribute. — Shelley Specchio, Indianapolis Star, "MIBOR REALTORS® find innovative ways to give back to the community," 23 July 2019 Sometimes when a big streaming entity like Netflix churns out content that can't always be distinguished from, say, network television, the whole TV universe seems utterly familiar, formless, monotonous. — Tim Goodman, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Frankenstein's Monster's Monster, Frankenstein': TV Review," 16 July 2019 The book goes both deep (into Solomonov’s own life story, which is marked by great loss) and broad (addressing the cultural and political complexities of considering Israel as a culinary entity). — Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, "The Best Cookbooks of the Century So Far," 14 July 2019 Such collective behavior — in which hundreds of fish, say, all suddenly change course at once, seemingly as a single entity — is a mystery that researchers are still eagerly trying to unravel. — Quanta Magazine, "How Swarming Insects Act Like Fluids," 10 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'entity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of entity

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for entity

Medieval Latin entitas, from Latin ent-, ens existing thing, from coined present participle of esse to be — more at is

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More Definitions for entity

entity

noun
How to pronounce entity (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of entity

formal : something that exists by itself : something that is separate from other things

See the full definition for entity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

entity

noun
en·​ti·​ty | \ ˈen(t)-ət-ē How to pronounce entity (audio) \
plural entities

Medical Definition of entity

: something (as a disease or condition) that has separate and distinct existence and objective or conceptual reality whether the common cold is an entity has been debated — Year Book of Medicine

entity

noun
en·​ti·​ty | \ ˈen-ti-tē How to pronounce entity (audio) \
plural entities

Legal Definition of entity

: an organization (as a business or governmental unit) that has a legal identity which is separate from those of its members — see also alter ego, instrumentality, juridical person, legal person, pierce

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