So what determines or classifies "living", free will/sentience/aware

[exarkuun1991]

I'm trying to learn more about concepts and building blocks, as I go along. I know that free will is, basically, any input can be used to create any output..that's a silly way of putting it, but, "I can do whatever I want, even if it makes no sense".
Now, I'm not necessarily talking about human's free will, but just, choice in general. Free will being what makes something living or sentient or "intelligent" or..there's no good words for it, as everything that has energy is "alive" in a way.
so..discussion or answer, I'm fine with it. Just curious what it actually means..