# real (actual)

a thing that is in space and persists through time

- Computed level: L2 (depth in the emergence graph, not abstraction)
- Status: review  ·  Domain: thing  ·  Arena: real

## Emergence
**Emerges from:** [matter](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-matter.substance), [persist](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-persist.continue), [space](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-space.extent), [time](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-time.dimension)

**Through:** matter is placed in space and its state continues through time

**Novel properties:**
- spatiotemporal presence
- enduring identity
- actual existence

## Examples
- The International Space Station orbits Earth every 90 minutes, maintained in low Earth orbit since 1998. *(engineering)*
- Mount Everest has existed in the Himalayas for at least 60 million years, persisting through measurable tectonic shifts. *(geology)*
- The U.S. Constitution has governed the federal system since 1789, surviving amendments and judicial interpretations. *(institutions)*

## Used by
- [actually](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-actually.real) (L5)
- [certain](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-certain.confidence) (L8)
- [fact](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-fact.truth) (L4)
- [ivory tower](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-ivory-tower.detachment) (L12)
- [on the ground](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-on-the-ground.local) (L14)
- [really](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-really.intensifier) (L3)
- [true](https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-true.accurate) (L3)

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*Canonical: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-real.actual*  
*Structured data: https://emergencemachine.com/tools/lexicon/what-is-the-meaning-of-real.actual.json*  
*Every definition provably resolves to space, time, energy and pattern.*