1
a
: the quality or state of having existence
a social movement that came into being in the 1960s
artistic form comes into being only when two elements are successfully fused—
Carlos Lynes
Carlos Lynes
b(1)
: something that is conceivable and hence capable of existing
(2)
: something that actually exists
(3)
: the totality of existing things
c
: conscious existence : life
2
: the qualities that constitute an existent thing : essence
I knew it was true in the core of my being.
especially
: personality
3
: a living thing
sentient beings
a mythical being
: present
—used in the phrase for the time being
plans to remain single for the time being
being
4 of 4present participle of be
Synonyms
Examples of being in a Sentence
Noun
a social movement that was brought into being in the 1960s
I knew it was true in the core of my being.
Conjunction
being as how I paid for lunch, I'd appreciate it if you picked up the tab for dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
Laurel Dalrymple, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
Traditional cultures and vernacular expressions often treat it as a living being.
—Stephen A. Pyne, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
Sometimes earlier replacement is needed if your detector beings to be faulty.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2025
If this plan comes into being, many talented managers would likely be replaced with officers viewed by the director as more loyal or partisan.
—Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for being 
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Noun
Less selfishness and more of a consideration for the next generations of human beings and other beings (animals and environment) that will inherit our mistakes.
—Laurel Dalrymple, NPR, 18 Jan. 2025
Traditional cultures and vernacular expressions often treat it as a living being.
—Stephen A. Pyne, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Jan. 2025
Sometimes earlier replacement is needed if your detector beings to be faulty.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 17 Jan. 2025
If this plan comes into being, many talented managers would likely be replaced with officers viewed by the director as more loyal or partisan.
—Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for being
Dictionary Entries Near being
Cite this Entry
“Being.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/being. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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