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

“For him, that’s the highest priority, and it matches his conception of American power, which is very much about maximizing those economic benefits, which matches the vision of these wealthy Gulf oil states,” Shapiro said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

How about something that challenges our very conception of life itself?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Most younger voters have no real conception of an era when working- and middle-class families could presume hard work would lead to better material circumstances.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In these and other parables, Jesus points us to the deficiency of our anthropocentric conception of fairness, directing our attention to something deeper about God’s love.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Though he was the primary force in the conception and development of Violent Hour, Benante didn’t want to play with the band live.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.