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.
Recent Examples on the WebLisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
There’s no omniscient being who can see both what’s inside and what’s outside.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
The town is a wreck, and the only living beings that come out to greet the liberating column are some dogs.
—Robert Zubrin, National Review, 7 Apr. 2024
Despite such glimpses of Andrew’s peculiar private life, even a fine performance from Rufus Sewell cannot really deepen our understanding of the Duke’s inner being.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2024
But is this particular evidence of hip-hop being in a good, healthy place?
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
Soon, the identity of Audrey II (voiced by Motown great Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops) is revealed to be that of an extraterrestrial being that craves human blood and wants to take over the world.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
People are social beings, and their actions tend to align with others.
—Perry Carpenter, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
According to Time and Date, the lunar eclipse will start in Phoenix at 9:53 p.m. Monday, March 25, with the maximum being at 12:12 a.m.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024
Noun
The birth chart is divided into 12 distinct areas, known as houses, each representing an essential aspect of our being.
—Lisa Stardust, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
There’s no omniscient being who can see both what’s inside and what’s outside.
—Quanta Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024
The town is a wreck, and the only living beings that come out to greet the liberating column are some dogs.
—Robert Zubrin, National Review, 7 Apr. 2024
Despite such glimpses of Andrew’s peculiar private life, even a fine performance from Rufus Sewell cannot really deepen our understanding of the Duke’s inner being.
—Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2024
But is this particular evidence of hip-hop being in a good, healthy place?
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2024
Soon, the identity of Audrey II (voiced by Motown great Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops) is revealed to be that of an extraterrestrial being that craves human blood and wants to take over the world.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 31 Mar. 2024
People are social beings, and their actions tend to align with others.
—Perry Carpenter, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
According to Time and Date, the lunar eclipse will start in Phoenix at 9:53 p.m. Monday, March 25, with the maximum being at 12:12 a.m.
—The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'being.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near being
Cite this Entry
“Being.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/being. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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