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
Gustavo Castillo, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Not even being able to imagine how this tiny, adorable, screaming being could develop into a rational, articulate human.😂.
—Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
The three beings then beamed her to their spaceship hovering nearby, performed experiments on her, and then returned her to her bedroom.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 4 Nov. 2024
My life is my dog and my goddaughter and being kind of devoted to the beings of love in my life, which is fulfilling.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for being 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
For the time being, AVs will not be the low cost solution to transportation companies initially promised.
—Gustavo Castillo, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Not even being able to imagine how this tiny, adorable, screaming being could develop into a rational, articulate human.😂.
—Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
The three beings then beamed her to their spaceship hovering nearby, performed experiments on her, and then returned her to her bedroom.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 4 Nov. 2024
My life is my dog and my goddaughter and being kind of devoted to the beings of love in my life, which is fulfilling.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024
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 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share