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” ( 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.
Looking at its weekly chart dating back to its inception in early January 2024 shows how the candles were influential in determining near-term highs and lows.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
The 18-year-old is among an elite group of women breaking into motorsport, which has been dominated since its inception by two institutional powers - men and money.
From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026
Clients are standing by the firm, which had put up annualized returns of more than 22% from its 2023 inception through 2025, one of the people said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
Since its inception, Stay Housed L.A. has opened about 26,000 cases overall, providing full representation for 6,150 cases and working on nearly 20,000 “limited scope” cases, according to data from Legal Aid.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026
Andrea herself, one of Death-Cast’s top reps since their inception seven years ago, has made her fair share of End Day calls.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
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.
