inception

[in-sep-shuhn]

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.

inception

/ ɪnˈsɛpʃən /

noun

1. the beginning, as of a project or undertaking

Word History and Origins

Origin of inception¹

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

Nasdaq, with its meteoric rise as the NYSE’s rival and incubator for generations of high-tech companies, has been at the center of the economy’s booms, and busts, since its inception.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Almost from its inception, TiVo, the San Jose company whose device has given the generic name to digital video recorders, has had an uneasy relationship with the broadcasting industry.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The conditions are more or less identical to those at every Singapore Grand Prix since its inception in 2008, so the drivers are well used to training to ensure they can cope with the conditions.

Read more on BBC

“This is a huge departure from how the HUD programs have been run since their inception.”

Read more on Salon

“From the inception of the Justice Department,” he added, “one of the most remarkable things is how it was never used in this way.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• initiation 
• outset