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the state or quality of being real.
resemblance to what is real.
a real thing or fact.
real things, facts, or events taken as a whole; state of affairs:
the reality of the business world; vacationing to escape reality.
Philosophy.

something that exists independently of ideas concerning it.
something that exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive.

something that is real.
something that constitutes a real or actual thing, as distinguished from something that is merely apparent.
noting or pertaining to a TV program or film that portrays nonactors interacting or competing with each other in real but contrived situations, allegedly without a script:
a popular reality show; reality TV.
in reality, in fact or truth; actually:
brave in appearance, but in reality a coward.
Contemporary Examples

Romney and Santorum are coming out of Michigan bruised—and detached from reality in the eyes of most voters.
GOP Primary Results: A Suicidal Cage Match John Avlon February 28, 2012

As for Obama, he has treated legislative victory as an end in itself while ignoring the reality of actual implementation.
George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Our Era of Bipartisan Ineptitude Lloyd Green July 6, 2013

There is a lingering disconnect between the reality of grief and the human perception of it.
3 Must Reads: ‘Kayak Morning,’ ‘Mr. g,’ and ‘Alex Gilvarry’ Hillary Kelly, Mythili Rao, Jacob Silverman February 7, 2012

Recognize the reality that it is us, men, who are solely responsible for domestic violence against women.
It’s Time for Men to Stand Up and Fight Domestic Violence Dean Obeidallah May 31, 2014

Not long after the Dutch nuptial-nullifying company started gaining publicity, a pilot for a reality show called—what else?
Book a Vacation at a Divorce Hotel and End Your Marriage in Luxury Nina Strochlic July 17, 2013

Historical Examples

This was in reality the beginning of Mrs. Dean’s carefully laid plan.
Marjorie Dean Pauline Lester

Yet when we do make them come true, we find the vision sweeter than the reality.
Ballads of a Bohemian Robert W. Service

These ideas in a hypocrite appear to be inconsistent, but in reality are not.
Toilers of the Sea Victor Hugo

The object so meritorious, who can doubt the reality of his professions?
Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) Samuel Richardson

In reality, neither type of mind is complete without the other.
Germany and the Germans Price Collier

noun (pl) -ties
the state of things as they are or appear to be, rather than as one might wish them to be
something that is real
the state of being real
(philosophy)

that which exists, independent of human awareness
the totality of facts as they are independent of human awareness of them See also conceptualism Compare appearance (sense 6)

in reality, actually; in fact
n.

1540s, “quality of being real,” from French réalité and directly Medieval Latin realitatem (nominative realitas), from Late Latin realis (see real (adj.)). Meaning “real existence, all that is real” is from 1640s; that of “the real state (of something)” is from 1680s. Sometimes 17c.-18c. also meaning “sincerity.” Reality-based attested from 1960. Reality television from 1991.

reality re·al·i·ty (rē-āl’ĭ-tē)
n.

The quality or state of being actual or true.

The totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence.

That which exists objectively and in fact.