ontology
Pronunciation
Noun
C1 Advanced
Quick answer
The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of being and existence, or, in computing, a formal structure describing the categories and relationships within a subject.
Usage notes
'Ontology' has a second, unrelated technical sense in computer science, where it means a structured map of categories and how they relate to each other.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "Her thesis explores the _____ of digital objects, asking whether a computer file truly exists the way a physical book does."
Answer: ontology
In your own words, what does "ontology" mean?
The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of being and existence, or, in computing, a formal structure describing the categories and relationships within a subject.
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