being: Meaning and Definition of

be•ing

Pronunciation: (bē'ing), [key]
— n.
  1. the fact of existing; existence (as opposed to nonexistence).
  2. conscious, mortal existence; life: Our being is as an instantaneous flash of light in the midst of eternal night.
  3. substance or nature: of such a being as to arouse fear.
  4. something that exists: inanimate beings.
  5. a living thing: strange, exotic beings that live in the depths of the sea.
  6. a human being; person: the most beautiful being you could imagine.
  7. (cap.) God.
    1. that which has actuality either materially or in idea.
    2. absolute existence in a complete or perfect state, lacking no essential characteristic; essence.
—conj.
  1. since; because; considering that (often fol. by as, as how, or that): Being it's midnight, let's go home. Being as how you cooked supper, I'll do the dishes.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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