existence

noun

ex·is·tence ig-ˈzi-stən(t)s

Synonyms of existence next

: the state or fact of having being especially independently of human consciousness and as contrasted with nonexistence

the existence of other worlds

: the manner of being that is common to every mode of being

: being with respect to a limiting condition or under a particular aspect

: actual or present occurrence

existence of a state of war

a(1)

: the totality of existent things

(2)

: a particular being

all the fair existences of heaven—

John Keats

: sentient or living being : life

: reality as presented in experience

obsolete : reality as opposed to appearance

Example Sentences

She began to doubt the existence of God. the existence of UFO's is something that people continue to argue about

Recent Examples on the Web However, only 21 total solar eclipses have crossed the lower 48 states in the entire existence of the United States. —

Cincinnati Enquirer, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2023 In New York and just a couple of other states, state law allows for the existence of more than just the two big political parties. —

How To Save A Country, The New Republic, 6 Apr. 2023 Yet today, as in over 100 years ago, individuals continue to struggle to find the appropriate outlet to express their pain, hiding heartache for fear of the social repercussions that might come with public acknowledgment of the existence of such a bond. —

Eric Tourigny, CNN, 3 Apr. 2023 January 2023 Temperance: Leo, your life is calling you toward an existence of balance and harmony in the new year, and that starts with rewiring your daily habits. —

Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2023 Scientists first detected signs that water might exist on the moon in the 1990s: Data from NASA’s Clementine orbiter suggested the moon’s shadowed region might hold ice, and NASA’s Lunar Prospector mission found evidence hinting at the existence of ice at the poles. —

Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2023 Einstein’s theory of general relativity allows for the existence of wormholes. —

Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2023 Granted, some experts have shared concerns that wind turbines can cause issues for wildlife, but considering that the wind farm in New Jersey has yet to even begin construction, worries regarding the existence of these turbines doesn't apply quite yet. —

Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 27 Mar. 2023 But these writers were determined to tell stories using their cultural lenses, at times reimagining the world without the existence of whiteness or ever having experienced being measured constantly by a white patriarchal society. —

Patrice Gaines, NBC News, 24 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'existence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French existence, existance, borrowed from Late Latin existentia, exsistentia, noun derivative of existent-, existens/exsistent-, exsistens "having being, existent"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3d

Time Traveler

The first known use of existence was in the 15th century

See more words from the same century