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Synonyms

conception

American  
[kuhn-sep-shuhn] / kənˈsɛp ʃən /

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 British  
/ 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

"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
conception Scientific  
/ kən-sĕp′shən /

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

conception Cultural  

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

Usage

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. 

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of conception

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

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.

The conception meant that the show would need multiple actors playing Scarpetta, with one as the lead of the series.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

The plaintiffs advanced a different conception of heightened scrutiny.

From Slate • Jan. 14, 2026

She has already begun explaining his conception to him using language she describes as "simple but honest".

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

“But as a general conception of what I saw there, sales were down this year.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

“Which signifies what? Six months following conception? Seven?”

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

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.