ontological
adj. C1 Advanced US //ˌɑntəˈɫɑdʒɪkəɫ// UK //ˌɒntəlˈɒdʒɪkəl// on·to·log·i·cal
adj. relating to the basic nature of what exists. It describes the study of what is real and how things are connected in the world.
adj. relating to the branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of being and what constitutes reality. Often used to describe the fundamental status or existence of a thing.
The philosopher discussed the ontological status of dreams.
In computer science, an ontological model helps organize data by defining the relationships between different types of objects.
The debate over whether consciousness is a physical process or an ontological category remains one of the most contentious issues in modern philosophy of mind.
From ontology + -ical.