noun
Common
entity
EHN-tih-tee
Entity (noun) means something that exists as a distinct, separate thing, often an organization rather than a physical object. Example: “The charity is a distinct entity from the company that first founded it.”
noun
1
Something that exists as a distinct, separate thing, often an organization rather than a physical object.
"The charity is a distinct entity from the company that first founded it."
"The new company is registered as a separate legal entity."
"Each department operates as its own entity within the corporation."
2
In computing, a single distinct item of data or record within a system.
"Each entity in the table has a unique number that identifies it."
"You can add a new entity to the system by filling in this form."
"The database treats each customer as a separate entity."
How to use entity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA "thing" that exists as its own separate unit — could be a company, an object, or a record in a database.
Common pairings
legal entity
separate entity
corporate entity
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Word forms
- Plural
- entities
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The charity is a distinct _____ from the company that first founded it.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin entitas, built from Latin ens ("a being") plus the suffix "-tas."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for entity
See all rhymes for entity →Frequently asked questions
What does “entity” mean?
The word “entity” means something that exists as a distinct, separate thing, often an organization rather than a physical object. In plain terms, a "thing" that exists as its own separate unit — could be a company, an object, or a record in a database.
How do you pronounce “entity”?
“Entity” is pronounced EHN-tih-tee (/ˈɛn.tɪ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “entity” in a sentence?
Here is “entity” used in a sentence: “The new company is registered as a separate legal entity.”
What is the opposite of “entity”?
The opposite of “entity” — its antonyms — are nonentity and variety.
What part of speech is “entity”?
“Entity” is a noun.
Where does the word “entity” come from?
The word “entity” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin entitas, built from Latin ens ("a being") plus the suffix "-tas.".
Is “entity” a common word?
“Entity” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “entity” have?
“Entity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something that exists as a distinct, separate thing, often an organization rather than a physical object.
What is the difference between an entity and an organization?
An entity is anything that exists as a distinct, separate thing, and it is often an organization rather than a physical object. An organization is one specific type of entity, so every organization is an entity, but not every entity is an organization.
What is the difference between an entity and an object?
Entity emphasizes that something exists as a distinct, separate thing, often abstract, such as a company or legal body. Object usually suggests a physical, tangible thing, so entity is the broader and more abstract of the two terms.
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