conception

[ kuhn-sep-shuhn ]

/ kənˈsɛp ʃən /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: conception / conceptions / conceptive on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act of conceiving; the state of being conceived.

fertilization; inception of pregnancy.

a notion; idea; concept: 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 design; plan.

a sketch of something not actually existing: an artist's conception of ancient Athens.

the act or power of forming notions, ideas, or concepts.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of conception

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

OTHER WORDS FROM conception

con·cep·tion·al, adjectivecon·cep·tive, adjectivepost·con·cep·tion, adjectivere·con·cep·tion, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH conception

1. concept, conception 2. conception , inception

Words nearby conception

concentric, Concepción, concept, conceptacle, concept art, conception, conception rate, conceptor, conceptual, conceptual art, conceptualism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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.

How to use conception in a sentence

Campaigns have also been forced to reconsider their conception of Pennsylvania’s political geography.
Why Pennsylvania Could Decide The 2020 Election|Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 15, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Compare our conception of werewolves, vampires, and zombies.
Believing in Monsters: David Livingstone Smith on the Subhuman - Facts So Romantic|Eric Schwitzgebel|September 11, 2020|Nautilus
Two Conceptions of RealityThese challenges are rooted in a conception of reality which we have gotten so used to that we’re not even aware that there’s an alternative.
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Philip Goff|September 9, 2020|Nautilus
There’s another conception of reality which I call the “container view.”
The Universe Knows Right from Wrong - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Philip Goff|September 9, 2020|Nautilus

Another incredible conception from da Vinci, the Armored Car is surely the forerunner to the contemporary military tanks.
14 Exceptional Weapon Systems from History That Were Ahead of their Time|Dattatreya Mandal|March 26, 2020|Realm of History
What it endangers is a narrow conception of Russian power, understood through the eyes of its dictatorial leader.
Oliver Stone’s Latest Dictator Suckup|James Kirchick|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Spar has a new book titled The Baby Business: How Money, Science and Politics Drive the Commerce of Conception.
Want Blue Eyes With That Baby?: The Strange New World of Human Reproduction|Eleanor Clift|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He completely disrupts not only the conception of architecture—but also the fabrication, the mise en oeuvre of architecture.
Frank Gehry Is Architecture’s Mad Genius|Sarah Moroz|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In fact, the airplane and the movie were more or less simultaneous in conception (the movie opened in 1968).
The Sexy Dream of the 747|Clive Irving|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
North Dakota has a less subtle constitutional amendment on the ballot stating that life begins at conception.
America’s Most Important (and Wackiest) Referendums This November|Ben Jacobs|October 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Adequate conception of the extent, the variety, the excellence of the works of Art here heaped together is impossible.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
The conception of the relation of this institution with them as co-operative makes headway slowly.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
The myth of "Boreas and Orithyia," though faulty perhaps in technique, is good in conception and arrangement.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
From that hour dated a new and sterner conception of the task that lay before him and every other Briton in the country.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
In fact, he says, with great candour and courage, that the early Bible conception of God is one which we cannot now accept.
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

British Dictionary definitions for conception

conception

/ (kənˈsɛpʃən) /

noun

something conceived; notion, idea, design, or plan

the description under which someone considers somethingher 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 beginningfrom its conception the plan was a failure

the act or power of forming notions; invention

Derived forms of conception

conceptional or conceptive, adjective

Word Origin for conception

C13: from Latin conceptiō, from concipere to conceive

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

Scientific definitions for conception

conception

[ kən-sĕp′shən ]

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

Cultural definitions for conception

conception

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

conception

Origin of conception

OTHER WORDS FROM conception

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH conception

Words nearby conception

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say conception?

Words related to conception

How to use conception in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for conception

Derived forms of conception

Word Origin for conception

Scientific definitions for conception

Cultural definitions for conception