Entity facts for kids

An entity is simply anything that exists. It can be a real thing you can touch, like a mountain or a table. It can also be something you can't touch, like an idea, a number, or even a rule or a company. An entity doesn't have to be alive or even physically present.

This word is very broad. It can describe animals, natural things like mountains, or objects like tables. It can also refer to numbers, sets of data, or human creations like laws and corporations. Even imaginary beings like supernatural creatures can be called entities.

The word entitative is the adjective form.

Where Does the Word "Entity" Come From?

The word entity comes from the Latin word entitas. This word itself comes from ens, which means "being" or "existing." So, you can think of an entity as literally meaning "a thing that exists."

Entities in Philosophy

In Spanish: Entidad para niños

In philosophy, there's a special field called Ontology. Ontology is the study of what it means for something to exist. It also looks at how we recognize different entities. Both the words "ontic" and "entity" come from old Greek and Latin words that mean "being."

For example, if you look at a pen, you might notice it's black and full of blue ink. You might also see it sitting on your desk. These are all things you can observe about that specific "entity"—the pen.

Entities in Law and Politics

In law, a legal entity is something that can have rights and obligations. This could be a natural person (like you or me). It can also be an artificial person, such as a business or a corporation. These artificial entities can sign contracts and own property.

In politics, the word entity is sometimes used to describe parts of a country. For example, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are different territorial divisions called entities.

Entities in Medicine

In medicine, a disease entity is a specific illness. This illness has a clear cause or a particular way it affects the body. A disease entity is not just a collection of symptoms. It is a defined medical condition.

Entities in Computer Science

Further information: Entity–relationship model and Entity-control-boundary

In computer science, an entity is like an "object" that has its own unique identity. This identity stays the same even if its details or attributes change. Entities usually represent important information that users need. This information is often stored in a database for a long time.

See also

• Digital identity
• Entity–relationship model
• Entity-control-boundary
• Entity realism
• Entitativity
• Everything
• Html entity
• Non-physical entity
• Object (philosophy)
• Circular reference