begin
verb (used without object)
to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of some action; commence; start.
was beginning
-
past progressiveof begin.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Jensen compared the current situation to Feb. 2020, when China had reported the spread of coronavirus and Italy was beginning to feel its effects.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
Cheaper Mexican workers had been welcomed during World War I, and were still coming north more casually back then, even as a U.S. labor group was beginning to agitate for organizing American migrant farm workers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
Earlier in the week, Itauma said Hrgovic - who has repeatedly labelled him a "kid" - was beginning to get under his skin.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026
But GoPuff made another part of the bargain newly explicit: convenience was beginning to include having my wants interpreted for me.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
Five days later, just as the world was beginning to calm down, a telephone rang in Moscow.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
