ontology

/ɑnˈtɑləʤi/

Other forms: ontologies

If you are interested in metaphysics and the meaning of existence (and want to impress your friends), ontology may be a good field of study for you.

Ontology comes from two Greek words: on, which means "being," and logia, which means "study." So ontology is the study of being alive and existing. Heady stuff, but something we all ponder at one point or another. When you see the word ontology, think of Hamlet agonizing over "To be, or not to be" or Descartes stating "I think, therefore I am."

Definitions of ontology

1. noun

   the metaphysical study of the nature of being and existence
   type of:

   metaphysics

   the philosophical study of being and knowing
2. noun

   (computer science) a rigorous and exhaustive organization of some knowledge domain that is usually hierarchical and contains all the relevant entities and their relations
   type of:

   arrangement, organisation, organization, system

   an organized structure for arranging or classifying