inception

American  

[in-sep-shuhn] / ɪnˈsɛp ʃən /

noun

1. beginning; start; commencement.

   Synonyms:

   conception , root , source , outset , origin

2. British.

   1. the act of graduating or earning a university degree, usually a master's or doctor's degree, especially at Cambridge University.

   2. the graduation ceremony; commencement.

3. (in science fiction) the act of instilling an idea into someone's mind by entering their dreams.

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inception British  

/ ɪnˈsɛpʃən /

noun

1. the beginning, as of a project or undertaking

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Etymology

Origin of inception

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English incepcion, from Latin inceptiōn- (stem of inceptiō ), equivalent to incept(us) “begun” ( incept ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Charter hasn’t paid a dividend since its inception 15 years ago.

From Barron's

CIF has been working on solutions like this since its inception, to date raising $12.5 billion as it invests in adaptation and resilience.

From The Wall Street Journal

John has been a Blue Jays fan since the team’s inception in 1977 and purposely sits where he does for proximity to home runs.

From Los Angeles Times

The Ivies have sent teams to March Madness since the inception of the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you invested in the Aristocrats index at inception just over 20 years ago, and checked three years ago, you would have made 402%, and beaten the S&P 500 by 80 points.

From Barron's

Related Words

• initiation
• outset