conception
Americannoun
-
the act of conceiving; the state of being conceived.
-
fertilization; inception of pregnancy.
-
She has some odd conceptions about life.
-
something that is conceived.
That machine is the conception of a genius.
-
origination; beginning.
The organization has been beset by problems from its conception.
-
a sketch of something not actually existing.
an artist's conception of ancient Athens.
-
the act or power of forming notions, ideas, or concepts.
noun
-
something conceived; notion, idea, design, or plan
-
the description under which someone considers something
her conception of freedom is wrong
-
the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm in the Fallopian tube followed by implantation in the womb
-
origin or beginning
from its conception the plan was a failure
-
the act or power of forming notions; invention
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.
Glass, 88, is seen as the greatest living US composer and perhaps the most influential in the post-World War II era, shattering long-held linear conceptions of classical music and enthusiastically incorporating non-Western forms.
From Barron's
Such scenarios are common throughout the world, largely because contemporary conceptions of antisemitism are shaped by mandated Holocaust education rather than comprehensive teaching on Jew-hatred in all its forms.
By God, let’s go with indie provocateur Gregg Araki’s conception of him: Robert Redford, a titan who hatched an independent film festival from his head like he was Zeus and passed away this September.
From Los Angeles Times
By untethering the legal doctrine around company control from its traditional conceptions, the ruling introduced uncertainty precisely where Delaware law had long provided clarity.
From Barron's
Their playing was electric in its immediacy, cogent in conception and executed with meticulous care—the orchestra sounding lush yet transparent, with enviably subtle dynamic shifts.
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.
