preconception

[pree-kuhn-sep-shuhn]

noun

1. a conception or opinion formed beforehand.

2. bias.

preconception

/ ˌpriːkənˈsɛpʃən /

noun

1. an idea or opinion formed beforehand

2. a bias; prejudice

Other Word Forms

• preconceptional adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preconception¹

First recorded in 1615–25; pre- + conception

Example Sentences

In Arizona, the overhaul started about a decade ago with the closing of underperforming, 6,000-square-foot locations that fit many people’s preconceptions of thrift as “that dark, dirty store on the corner,” O’Neal said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The second preconception Mr. Mamdani warns us against is that Yoweri Museveni—Uganda’s president for the past 39 intolerant years, with many more likely if he has his way—has been his country’s savior.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She had overturned similar preconceptions at secondary school.

Read more on BBC

I hope this moment helps convince people who had written off “Andor” because of their preconceptions of the “Star Wars” franchise to finally check it out.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Plemons, who previously scored an Oscar nomination for The Power of the Dog, says Bugonia appealed because it forced him to confront his own preconceptions about people on the fringes of society.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• assumption 
• predisposition 
• prejudice