entity

en-ti-ty · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A thing with distinct and independent existence.

  2. 2.

    An organization or being that has a legal identity.

  3. 3.

    (Computing) A component or object in a data model or system.

Forms

plural: entities

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    legal entity — an organization recognized by law as having rights and obligations
  • •
    business entity — a company or organization
  • •
    separate entity — something distinct from others

Related words

See also: being, existence, organization
Synonyms: being, organization, thing, unit

Etymology

From Medieval Latin entitas, from Late Latin ens (genitive entis) "being," from esse ("to be"). The word was coined by scholastic philosophers.