EXISTING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does existing mean? 

• EXISTING (adjective)
  The adjective EXISTING has 3 senses:

1. presently existing

2. having existence or being or actuality

3. existing in something specified

  Familiarity information: EXISTING used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EXISTING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Presently existing

Context example:

the existing system

Similar:

present (temporal sense; intermediate between past and future; now existing or happening or in consideration)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Having existence or being or actuality

Synonyms:

existent; existing

Context example:

much of the beluga caviar existing in the world is found in the Soviet Union and Iran

Similar:

active; alive (in operation)

Also:

extant (still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost)

Attribute:

being; beingness; existence; face of the earth (the state or fact of existing)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Existing in something specified

Context example:

depletion of the oxygen existing in the bloodstream

Similar:

present (being or existing in a specified place)

 Context examples 

Using spin allows the quantum information to be more easily integrated with existing systems.

(Quantum state of single electrons controlled by ‘surfing’ on sound waves, University of Cambridge)

These cells had previously failed to respond to existing methods of 'therapeutic attack'.

(Molecule in Immune System Able to Trigger 'Suicide' of Cancerous Tumors, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

A very rare ameloblastic carcinoma that originates from a pre-existing intraosseous benign ameloblastoma.

(Ameloblastic Carcinoma-Secondary Type (Dedifferentiated), Intraosseous, NCI Thesaurus)

The group of 22 volunteers had high pre-existing immunity to the influenza virus strains contained in the 2014-2015 seasonal influenza vaccine.

(Disrupting the gut microbiome may affect some immune responses to flu vaccination, National Institutes of Health)

Using voltage instead of pressure to drive cooling is simpler from an engineering standpoint, and allows existing design principles to be repurposed without the need for magnets.

(Electronic solid could reduce carbon emissions in fridges and air conditioners, University of Cambridge)

A very rare ameloblastic carcinoma that originates from a pre-existing extraosseous benign ameloblastoma.

(Ameloblastic Carcinoma-Secondary Type (Dedifferentiated), Peripheral, NCI Thesaurus)

Their web site provides immediate access to existing life science research and integrates new data as it emerges.

(BioCarta, NCI Thesaurus)

A replacement of the existing materials that make up the sleeping area of a subject.

(Bedding Change, NCI Thesaurus)

An appendage to an existing document that contains supplemental information.

(Addendum, NCI Thesaurus)

Based on existing evidence, researchers have developed two possible reasons why carbon is left behind.

(Carbon hides in sediment, keeping oxygen in atmosphere, National Science Foundation)