conceive

[ kuh n-seev ]

/ kənˈsiv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR conceive ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing.

to form (a notion, opinion, purpose, etc.): He conceived the project while he was on vacation.

to form a notion or idea of; imagine.

to hold as an opinion; think; believe: I can't conceive that it would be of any use.

to experience or form (a feeling): to conceive a great love for music.

to express, as in words.

to become pregnant with.

to beget.

to begin, originate, or found (something) in a particular way (usually used in the passive): a new nation conceived in liberty.

Archaic. to understand; comprehend.

verb (used without object), con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing.

to form an idea; think (usually followed by of).

to become pregnant.

Nearby words

concede, conceit, conceited, conceitedly, conceivable, conceive, concelebrant, concelebrate, concelebration, concent, concenter

Origin of conceive

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French conceivre < Latin concipere to take fully, take in, equivalent to con- con- + -cipere, combining form of capere to take

SYNONYMS FOR conceive

2, 8 See imagine.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR conceive ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

con·ceiv·er, nounnon·con·ceiv·ing, noun, adjectivere·con·ceive, verb, re·con·ceived, re·con·ceiving.un·con·ceived, adjective

well-con·ceived, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for conceive

“The issue was how to conceive what the show was going to look and feel like,” says McKenzie.
Ben McKenzie’s Journey From Reluctant Teen Idol on ‘The O.C.’ to Sheriff of ‘Gotham’|Marlow Stern|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These military men find it hard to conceive that there might be no real policy at all.
Why Does the Free Syrian Army Hate Us?|Jamie Dettmer|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last year, as I began to conceive a novel, set in shadowy Istanbul, about the sale of a gray market antiquity worth millions.
Writing a Novel: Even Making It Up Requires Research|Ridley Pearson|July 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Did you conceive of that look yourself, and how did you arrive at that look?
Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel on ‘Sex Tape,’ Awkward Sexual Positions, and High-Fiving in Bed|Marlow Stern|July 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She also suggested that the government should help Japanese women who have fertility issues to conceive children.
Japanese Parliament to Women: Breed, Don't Lead|Jake Adelstein, Angela Erika Kubo|June 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is a peaceful company among these hills, respected by all who conceive them aright.
Slain By The Doones|R. D. Blackmore
My friend, it is impossible to conceive, even faintly, of the change that will come over us towards the meaning of life.
The Blue Germ|Martin Swayne
For what can we conceive of that first Eden which we might not yet win back, if we chose?
Modern Painters, Volume V (of 5)|John Ruskin
The object of my life has been to secure the greatest amount of pleasure--that being the best thing of which we can conceive.
Zenobia|William Ware
This presents difficulties to us, if we conceive that there was a time when conscious beings did not exist.
A Critical History of Greek Philosophy|W. T. Stace

British Dictionary definitions for conceive

conceive

/ (kənˈsiːv) /

verb

(when intr, foll by of; when tr, often takes a clause as object) to have an idea (of); imagine; think

(tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to hold as an opinion; believe

(tr) to develop or form, esp in the mindshe conceived a passion for music

to become pregnant with (young)

(tr) rare to express in words

Derived Formsconceiver, noun

Word Origin for conceive

C13: from Old French conceivre, from Latin concipere to take in, from capere to take

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for conceive

conceive

[ kən-sēv′ ]

v.

To become pregnant.

To apprehend mentally; to understand.

conceive

verb (used with object), con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing.

verb (used without object), con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing.

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Nearby words

Origin of conceive

Examples from the Web for conceive

British Dictionary definitions for conceive

conceive

verb

Word Origin for conceive

Medicine definitions for conceive

conceive

v.