from Wikipedia: An entity may be defined as a thing which is recognized as being capable of an independent existence and which can be uniquely identified.
see more here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity-relationship_model

>>>
>>>One of the most used terms I come across in .NET world is "entity" and I admit that I am clueless about what it means. The definition of Entity in the dictionary is "something that exists as a separate thing". This is very helpful, of course <g>; they might as well simply describe it as a "thing". But back to .NET world.
>>>
>>>I was just reading an article on the web on building business objects and the term "entity" is all over there:
>>>"entity state"
>>>"entity state type"
>>>"entity state property"
>>>etc.
>>>
>>>There is also a well known framework that has he word "Entity" in it.
>>>
>>>Could someone explain to me the term "entity" in the .NET? TIA.
>>
>>Have you also heard about Entity-Relational Diagram?
>>
>>Say, Customers is an Entity
>>or
>>Orders is an Entity
>
>Thank you. No, I have not used 'Entity-Relational Diagram' but heard the term.