begun
Americanverb
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Compare meaning
How does begun compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the DOJ’s aborted investigation of Southern Coal, prosecutors and federal agents had begun to gather evidence, scrutinizing testimony in the Justices’ various civil trials, and had approached former employees seeking information.
From Salon • Jun. 10, 2026
The pursuit had begun in South Los Angeles and ended near Marietta and Garnet streets at about 2:15 p.m.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
The stock has already begun to rebound, closing up 3.8% on Monday and extending those gains into Tuesday.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
Regulators around the world have begun to apply social media bans and other legislation that requires forms of age verification for companies such as Apple and Google.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
“In spite of all that, we’ve begun to make progress. Look here at our neighborhood.”
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
