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.
PETERSBURG, Fla.—The champagne was on ice, the parade route was being finalized and the party was beginning all across Wisconsin.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
Simultaneously, her long-term relationship of 14 years was beginning to come apart.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
The prolonged dry spell this summer meant his crop was beginning to die.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
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
He was beginning to think that he’d made a series of very grave mistakes.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
