existence
NOUN:
1. the state or fact of existing; being.
2. (continuance in being or) life:
a struggle for existence.
3. mode of existing:
They were working for a better existence.
4. all or everything that exists, esp that is living:
Existence shows a universal order.
5. something that exists; entity; being.
6. the continuance or maintenance of life; living, esp in adverse circumstances:
a struggle for existence. // she has a wretched existence.
7. the state or fact of having being especially independently of human consciousness and as contrasted with nonexistence:
the existence of other worlds.
8. the manner of being that is common to every mode of being.
9. being with respect to a limiting condition or under a particular aspect.
10. actual or present occurrence:
existence of a state of war.
11. the totality of existent things.
12. a particular being:
all the fair existences of heaven. —John Keats.
13. sentient or living being; life.
14. reality as presented in experience.
obsolete:
reality as opposed to appearance.
Examples:
She began to doubt the existence of God; The existence of UFOs is something that people continue to argue about. —Merriam-Webster.
Origin:
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word ex(s)istentia. See exist, -ence. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of existence: 15th century. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.
1. the state or fact of existing; being.
2. (continuance in being or) life:
a struggle for existence.
3. mode of existing:
They were working for a better existence.
4. all or everything that exists, esp that is living:
Existence shows a universal order.
5. something that exists; entity; being.
6. the continuance or maintenance of life; living, esp in adverse circumstances:
a struggle for existence. // she has a wretched existence.
7. the state or fact of having being especially independently of human consciousness and as contrasted with nonexistence:
the existence of other worlds.
8. the manner of being that is common to every mode of being.
9. being with respect to a limiting condition or under a particular aspect.
10. actual or present occurrence:
existence of a state of war.
11. the totality of existent things.
12. a particular being:
all the fair existences of heaven. —John Keats.
13. sentient or living being; life.
14. reality as presented in experience.
obsolete:
reality as opposed to appearance.
Examples:
She began to doubt the existence of God; The existence of UFOs is something that people continue to argue about. —Merriam-Webster.
Origin:
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Late Latin word ex(s)istentia. See exist, -ence. —Dictionary.com. // First Known Use of existence: 15th century. —Merriam-Webster.
Sources: 1, 2.