being

1 of 4

noun

be·​ing ˈbē(-i)ŋ How to pronounce being (audio)
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 fusedCarlos 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
especially : person
a very sexual being

being

2 of 4

adjective

: present
used in the phrase for the time being
plans to remain single for the time being

being

3 of 4

conjunction

chiefly dialectal
: since, because
usually used with as, as how, or that

being

4 of 4

present participle of be

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
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, the Red Bull leadership is seemingly focused on trying to get the best possible results. Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025 Similarly, at least for the time being, Orozco’s congruence of store and gallery, of universal commodity and of global sculpture, emptied even of the most residual forms of tactility, has remained relatively illegible. Benjamin H. D. Buchloh, Artforum, 1 June 2025 My Hindu beliefs teach me to see divinity in all beings, all paths, all of creation. Benjamin Liong Setiawan, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025 Rivers are, for me, profoundly hopeful beings, presences in the landscape. Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for being

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from gerund of been be

Adjective

Middle English, from present participle of been be

Conjunction

from being entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Conjunction

1528, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of being was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Being.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/being. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

being

noun
be·​ing
ˈbē-iŋ
1
: the state of having life or existence
2
: one that exists in fact or thought
3
: a living thing
especially : human being

More from Merriam-Webster on being

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