The existence of something is the fact that it is present in the world as a real thing.
...the existence of other galaxies. [+of]
Tuna are being fished out of existence.
Public worries about accidents are threatening the very existence of the nuclearpower industry. [+of]
Synonyms: reality, being, life, survival More Synonyms of existence
2. countable noun
You can refer to someone's way of life as an existence, especially when they live under difficult conditions.
You may be stuck with a miserable existence for the rest of your life.
Their day-to-day existence was routine.
More Synonyms of existence
existence in British English
(ɪɡˈzɪstəns)
noun
1.
the fact or state of existing; being
2.
the continuance or maintenance of life; living, esp in adverse circumstances
a struggle for existence
she has a wretched existence
3.
something that exists; a being or entity
4.
everything that exists, esp that is living
existence in American English
(ɛgˈzɪstəns; ɪgˈzɪstəns)
noun
1.
the act of existing; state or fact of being
2.
continuance of being; life; living
3.
occurrence; specific manifestation
4.
a manner of existing, being, or living
derelicts have a poor existence
5.
a being; entity; thing that exists
Word origin
ME < OFr < ML existentia < prp. of L existere
COBUILD Collocations
existence
acknowledge the existence of
charmed existence
comfortable existence
deny the existence of
human existence
lonely existence
miserable existence
nomadic existence
prove the existence of
very existence
Examples of 'existence' in a sentence
existence
It seems the existence of things should give us hope, possibly because they represent something beyond ourselves and our narrow concerns.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Because, as we all know, maths is as important to human existence as oxygen and without it we might as well curl up and die.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Painting was dying again and artists no longer expected to pursue the old bohemian ways of existence.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The existence of such powers did not deprive such agreements of their utility.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The existence of life is an unfathomable reality.
Christianity Today (2000)
It is a weird existence when you live on your own.
The Sun (2014)
So he may have forgotten the existence of something called radio.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What can be more important than this for human existence?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Putting such a miserable existence behind you takes a lot of dedication.
The Sun (2009)
The exact length of the time limit is less important than the fact of its existence.
Herman, Judith Lewis Trauma and Recovery (1992)
Its existence paves the way for possible obesity treatments.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
She soon discovered it was not so much a life as an existence.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But its very existence makes things harder.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Simple belief is not acceptable as evidence for the existence of something.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are a given of human existence.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In some respects it was a miserable existence.
The Sun (2015)
The families of our soldiers also live a day-to-day existence.
The Sun (2008)
Yet little has been written about the foundations' existence or the power they wield.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Some locals doubted his existence; others lived in fear of him.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
When such reflexes persist past this age, it may signal the existence of some kind of neurological problem.
Bee, Helen The Developing Child (7th edn.) (1995)
His life was not the charmed existence that many may presume, and the struggles were at times overwhelming.
Chris Gidney CELEBRATING SECOMBE: A Tribute to Sir Harry Secombe (2002)
In their letters and journals pioneer women mostly complained of being bone weary and about the difficulties of day-to-day existence.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
There is of course so much more help out there now as compared to the 1940s and 1950s when we had such a wretched existence.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Quotations
To be, or not to be: that is the questionWilliam ShakespeareHamlet
I think; therefore I amRené DescartesDiscourse on Method
Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solveErich FrommMan For Himself
In other languages
existence
British English: existence NOUN
The existence of something is the fact that it is present in the world as a real thing.
...the existence of other galaxies.
American English: existence
Brazilian Portuguese: existência
Chinese: 存在
European Spanish: existencia
French: existence
German: Existenz
Italian: esistenza
Japanese: 存在
Korean: 실재
European Portuguese: existência
Latin American Spanish: existencia
All related terms of 'existence'
non-existence
Non-existence is the fact of not existing.
human existence
The existence of something is the fact that it is present in the world as a real thing.
very existence
The existence of something is the fact that it is present in the world as a real thing.
charmed existence
You can refer to someone's way of life as an existence , especially when they live under difficult conditions.
lonely existence
You can refer to someone's way of life as an existence , especially when they live under difficult conditions.
nomadic existence
You can refer to someone's way of life as an existence , especially when they live under difficult conditions.
comfortable existence
You can refer to someone's way of life as an existence , especially when they live under difficult conditions.
miserable existence
You can refer to someone's way of life as an existence , especially when they live under difficult conditions.
deny the existence of
The existence of something is the fact that it is present in the world as a real thing.
struggle for existence
competition between organisms of a population , esp as a factor in the evolution of plants and animals
coexistence
The coexistence of one thing with another is the fact that they exist together at the same time or in the same place.
preexist
to exist previously or before (another person or thing)
prove the existence of
The existence of something is the fact that it is present in the world as a real thing.
acknowledge the existence of
The existence of something is the fact that it is present in the world as a real thing.
pre-existing
A pre-existing situation or thing exists already or existed before something else.
self-existent
existing independently of any other being or cause
Chinese translation of 'existence'
existence
(ɪɡˈzɪstəns)
n
(u) (= reality) 存在 (cúnzài)
(c) (= life) 生活 (shēnghuó) (种(種), zhǒng)
to be in existence存在的 (cúnzài de)
1 (noun)
Definition
the fact or state of being real, live, or actual
Public worries about accidents are threatening the very existence of the nuclear power industry.
Synonyms
reality
being
the complex process by which the novel is brought into being
life
He spent the last fourteen years of his life in retirement.
survival
An animal's sense of smell is crucial to its survival.
duration
endurance
The book is about the endurance of the class system in Britain.
continuation
subsistence
Up to £350,000 has been spent on travel and subsistence.
actuality
It exists in dreams rather than actuality.
continuance
The agreement guarantees the continuance of the UN mission.
2 (noun)
Definition
a way of life, esp. a poor or hungry one
the right to lead a peaceful existence
Synonyms
life
How did you adjust to college life?
situation
way of life
lifestyle
the change of lifestyle occasioned by the baby's arrival
3 (noun)
Definition
everything that exists
pondering the mysteries of existence
Synonyms
creation
the origin of all creation
life
the world
reality
the human condition
this mortal coil
4 (noun)
Synonyms
creature
Many cultures believe that every living creature possesses a spirit.
being
The music seemed to touch his very being.
thing
The Earth is mainly made of iron and silicon and things like that.
entity
the concept of the earth as a living entity
phrase
See in existence
Quotations
To be, or not to be: that is the question [William Shakespeare – Hamlet]I think; therefore I am [René Descartes – Discourse on Method]Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem which he has to solve [Erich Fromm – Man For Himself]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of actuality
Definition
reality
It exists in dreams rather than actuality.
Synonyms
reality,
truth,
substance,
verity,
materiality,
realness,
substantiality,
factuality,
corporeality
in the sense of being
Definition
the state or fact of existing
the complex process by which the novel is brought into being