entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen-tə-tē 

ˈe-nə-

plural entities

1

a

: 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

• being
• commodity
• existent
• individual
• individuality
• integer
• object
• reality
• something
• substance
• thing

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

In Callahan’s view, the pilot program has another flaw: The states and other entities that apply are required to bring up to 20 percent of their project’s costs to the table, a serious obstacle to Native tribes, which, in Callahan’s view, shouldn’t be subject to the matching-funds obligation. —Ben Goldfarb, Vox, 14 Mar. 2025

There’s no deadline to claim property once it’s been transferred to the State Controller’s Office by banks, businesses, insurance companies and other entities. —Kendrick Marshall, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025

Read More: How China Is Advancing in AI Despite U.S. Chip Restrictions For Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, ensuring advanced AI systems are not controlled by a single entity is key to safety. —Tharin Pillay, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025

Additionally, no single entity can own more than one of the four largest stations in any single market. —Tim Baysinger, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing entity

• flow-through entity
• pass-through entity

Rhymes for entity

• identity
• nonentity

Kids Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈent-ət-ē 

plural entities

: something existing or thought of as existing as a separate and independent thing

Medical Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen(t)-ət-ē 

plural entities

: 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

Legal Definition

entity

noun

en·​ti·​ty ˈen-ti-tē 

plural entities

: 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