ontology

[ on-tol-uh-jee ]
/ ɒnˈtɒl ə dʒi /

noun

the branch of metaphysics that studies the nature of existence or being as such.
(loosely) metaphysics.

Origin of ontology

From the New Latin word ontologia, dating back to 1715–25. See onto-, -logy

OTHER WORDS FROM ontology

on·to·log·i·cal [on-tl-oj-i-kuh l] /ˌɒn tlˈɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, on·to·log·ic, on·tol·o·gis·tic [on-tol-uh-jis-tik] /ɒnˌtɒl əˈdʒɪs tɪk/, adjective on·tol·o·gist, noun

Example sentences from the Web for ontology

British Dictionary definitions for ontology

ontology
/ (ɒnˈtɒlədʒɪ) /

noun

philosophy the branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of being
logic the set of entities presupposed by a theory

Derived forms of ontology

ontological, adjective ontologically, adverb