inception
Americannoun
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beginning; start; commencement.
- Synonyms:
- conception, root, source, outset, origin
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British.
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the act of graduating or earning a university degree, usually a master's or doctor's degree, especially at Cambridge University.
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the graduation ceremony; commencement.
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(in science fiction) the act of instilling an idea into someone's mind by entering their dreams.
noun
Etymology
Origin of inception
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English incepcion, from Latin inceptiōn- (stem of inceptiō ), equivalent to incept(us) “begun” ( see incept) + -iōn- -ion
Explanation
The inception is the beginning. Since its inception, Wikipedia has been created by its users. Inception sounds like conception, but their meanings are distinct. Conception usually refers to the moment of becoming pregnant. Inception refers more to the beginning, to entering upon an undertaking. Inception implies the start of a specific thing like a campaign or a company. Subsequent events take place after the inception. At the moment of conception, most women are at the inception of motherhood.
Vocabulary lists containing inception
"The Hill We Climb," by Amanda Gorman
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I'm New Here...
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Mahatma Gandhi's "Quit India" Speech
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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.
Considering its reputation as a showcase for auteurs, you may be surprised to learn that Hollywood has been a fixture at the Cannes Film Festival since its inception.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
The ETF has seen weekly inflows every week since its inception, he added.
From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026
Smead said he has owned eBay in the fund since its inception in 2008.
From Barron's • May 6, 2026
It still hasn’t brought an AI-enabled drug to market nearly 13 years after its inception.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026
I explained to our counterparts that the ANC from its inception in 1912 had always sought negotiations with the government in power.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
