Main Entry: be·gin

Pronunciation: \bi-ˈgin, bē-\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): be·gan \-ˈgan\; be·gun \-ˈgən\; be·gin·ning

Etymology: Middle English beginnen, from Old English beginnan; akin to Old High German biginnan to begin, Old English onginnan

Date: before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 : to do the first part of an action : go into the first part of a process : start
2 a : to come into existence : arise b : to have a starting point
3 : to do or succeed in the least degree <I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am>transitive verb 1 : to set about the activity of : start
2 a : to bring into being : found b : originate, invent

— to begin with : as the first thing to be considered

synonyms begin, commence, start, initiate, inaugurate, usher in mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation. begin , start , and commence are often interchangeable. begin, opposed to end, is the most general <begin a trip> <began dancing>. start, opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages <the work started slowly>. commence can be more formal or bookish than begin or start <commence firing> <commenced a conversation>. initiate implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue <initiated diplomatic contacts>. inaugurate suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance <the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine>. usher in is somewhat less weighty than inaugurate <ushered in a period of economic decline>.