Crossword clue: a word used as the designation or appellation of a creature or thing, existing in fact or in thought; a substantive.
1 answer found in Letterora's clue database (Wikidata facts, Open Trivia DB, WordNet and Webster definitions — all licensed sources).
Possible answers
the word class that can serve as the subject or object of a verb, the object of a preposition, or in apposition