Definition of ontology Ontology

/ɑntɑˈlʌʤi/ - [antalujee] - on•tol•o•gy

We found 12 definitions of ontology from 7 different sources.

What does ontology mean?

Noun Plural: ontologies
ontology - the metaphysical study of the nature of being and existence
		metaphysics the philosophical study of being and knowing
ontology - (computer science) a rigorous and exhaustive organization of some knowledge domain that is usually hierarchical and contains all the relevant entities and their relations
		arrangement, organisation, organization, system the act of arranging and adapting a piece of music

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ontology (Noun)
The branch of metaphysics that addresses the nature or essential characteristics of being and of things that exist; the study of being qua being.
ontology (Noun)
The theory of a particular philosopher or school of thought concerning the fundamental types of entity in the universe.
ontology (Noun)
A logical system involving theory of classes, developed by Stanislaw Lesniewski 1886-1939.
ontology (Noun)
A structure of concepts or entities within a domain, organized by relationships; a system model .

ontology (n.)
That department of the science of metaphysics which investigates and explains the nature and essential properties and relations of all beings, as such, or the principles and causes of being.

ontology
The branch of metaphysics that addresses the nature or essential characteristics of existence and of things that exist.
ontology
A hierarchical structure of concepts or entities within a domain, organised by relationships.

ontology
on-tol′o-ji, n. the science that treats of the principles of pure being: that part of metaphysics which treats of the nature and essence of things.—adjs. Ontolog′ic, -al.—adv. Ontolog′ically.—n. Ontol′ogist, one versed in ontology. [Gr. ōn, ontos, being pr.p. of einai, to be, logia—legein, to discourse.]

Ontology is the part of philosophy that studies existence. Ontology is one of the basic areas of study of philosophy.

Philosophers (people who study philosophy) who are interested in ontology think about what exists, how many things exist, and what existence is. Plato and Aristotle are two people who thought carefully about these questions.