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

The implications of the sanctions include blocking of all property and interests of the entities that are in the U.S. —Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 31 Dec. 2024

The Treasury Department said the Russian entities used generative AI tools to create disinformation to distribute across websites designed to create false corroboration between the stories. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 31 Dec. 2024

NBCUniversal owner Comcast, led by chairman and CEO Brian Roberts, became the first entertainment titan to unveil the spinoff of most of its cable networks into a separate entity in late November. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Dec. 2024

Unlike other music festivals, this one isn’t sponsored by a big corporate entity. —Charles Moss, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024

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

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