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 verb1: to do the first part of an action : go into the first part of a process : start2 a: to come into existence : arise b: to have a starting point3: to do or succeed in the least degree <I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am>transitive verb1: to set about the activity of : start2 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>.