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.

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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

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conception Scientific  

/ kən-sĕp′shən /

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

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conception Cultural  

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

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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

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

From The Wall Street Journal

The problem with this conception is the opportunity cost it exacts on the American reading public.

From Salon

"After two years, we realised natural conception wasn't working for us," they said.

From BBC

He was not involved in the execution of the trial but contributed to conception, design and interpretation.

From Science Daily

Kid Soul: You’re catching YouTube at its conception, and it gave you a window into what L.A. was doing at that time.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• appreciation
• conceit
• concept
• impression
• interpretation
• notion
• perception
• realization