conception

[kuhn-sep-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of conceiving; the state of being conceived.

2. fertilization; inception of pregnancy.

3. a notion; idea; concept.

   She has some odd conceptions about life.

4. something that is conceived.

   That machine is the conception of a genius.

5. origination; beginning.

   The organization has been beset by problems from its conception.

6. a design; plan.

7. a sketch of something not actually existing.

   an artist's conception of ancient Athens.

8. the act or power of forming notions, ideas, or concepts.

conception

/ kənˈsɛpʃən /

noun

1. something conceived; notion, idea, design, or plan

2. the description under which someone considers something

   her conception of freedom is wrong

3. the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm in the Fallopian tube followed by implantation in the womb

4. origin or beginning

   from its conception the plan was a failure

5. the act or power of forming notions; invention

conception

1. The formation of a zygote resulting from the union of a sperm and egg cell; fertilization.

conception

1. Fertilization; the union of the sperm and ovum to form a zygote. (See reproductive systems.)

Other Word Forms

• conceptional adjective
• conceptive adjective
• postconception adjective
• reconception noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conception¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English concepcion from Latin conceptiōn- (stem of conceptiō ), equivalent to Latin concept- ( concept ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of conception¹

C13: from Latin conceptiō, from concipere to _conceive

Example Sentences

To opponents of the forthcoming regulation, including many still inside the Social Security Administration, Warshawsky and Vought’s conception of the modern economy neglects the fact that workers like Tincher grew up in a different world.

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We are so used to associating “masterpieces” with largeness of conception that it often can shock us to discover that modest quirkiness has its own appeal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The original conception of the Dolls, it came from a time when women would dress up and be pretty for the men.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Those types of films often take several years from conception to release and cost more than $200 million to produce.

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Among the “Christian stuff” that Stuckey believes the Bible deems true: There are only two genders, determined at conception, and marriage is between a man and a woman.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• appreciation 
• conceit 
• concept 
• impression 
• interpretation 
• notion 
• perception 
• realization 

When To Use

What are other ways to say conception?

A conception is a notion or idea that seems complete, individual, or somewhat intricate. Do you know when to use conception, thought, idea, and notion? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.