concept

[kon-sept]

noun

1. a general notion or idea; conception.

2. an idea of something formed by mentally combining all its characteristics or particulars; a construct.

3. a directly conceived or intuited object of thought.

adjective

1. functioning as a prototype or model of new product or innovation.

   a concept car,

   a concept phone.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal.,  to develop a concept of; conceive.

   He concepted and produced three films.

concept

/ ˈkɒnsɛpt /

noun

1. an idea, esp an abstract idea

   the concepts of biology

2. philosophy a general idea or notion that corresponds to some class of entities and that consists of the characteristic or essential features of the class

3. philosophy

   1. the conjunction of all the characteristic features of something

   2. a theoretical construct within some theory

   3. a directly intuited object of thought

   4. the meaning of a predicate

4. (modifier) (of a product, esp a car) created as an exercise to demonstrate the technical skills and imagination of the designers, and not intended for mass production or sale

Word History and Origins

Origin of concept¹

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin conceptum “something conceived,” originally neuter of conceptus “conceived,” past participle of concipere “to conceive,” equivalent to con- con- ( def. ) + -cipere, combining form of capere “to seize”

Word History and Origins

Origin of concept¹

C16: from Latin conceptum something received or conceived, from concipere to take in, _conceive

Example Sentences

It doesn’t quite work as a concept if you think too much about it, but Hernández makes a meal yet again out of playing a Latino elder with strong opinions.

From Los Angeles Times

The major questions doctrine is an originalist concept, but in the court’s view it may not apply to actions in the foreign policy realm – including tariffs – where the president has greater discretion.

From Salon

It's the only song that really leans into the showgirl concept, with a percussive tap-dancing interlude and ostentatious key changes, as the stars trade lines about their cut-throat industry.

From BBC

The “Mrs. Doubtfire” concept seems like a natural place to go from Eli’s take on Chad Powers, but how did you arrive at the idea of the man behind Chad being a “canceled” player?

From Los Angeles Times

Arbor had initially planned to build a proof of concept in Placer County.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• approach 
• conception 
• image 
• notion 
• perception 
• theory 
• thought 
• view