inception

noun

in·​cep·​tion in-ˈsep-shən 

: an act, process, or instance of beginning : commencement

a project kept secret since its inception

Synonyms of inception

• beginning
• commencement
• start
• onset
• launch
• alpha

Choose the Right Synonym for inception

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence.

origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile

the source of recurrent trouble

inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

Examples of inception in a Sentence

The project has been shrouded in controversy from its inception.

Since its inception, the business has expanded to become a national retail chain.

We'll assist you at every stage from inception to completion.

Recent Examples on the Web

The newest rum from Flor de Caña was distilled and laid down to age in American white oak barrels in 1990 by the third generation of the Pellas family to have operated the brand since its inception a century earlier. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 13 Nov. 2025

But the reasons as to why this is happening is because of 75 years of apartheid at that point, the genocide that was the inception of the Israeli nation-state. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 13 Nov. 2025

The saxophonist, who led the late-night TV show’s group, Cleto and the Cletones, from its inception in 2003, was host Jimmy Kimmel’s childhood friend since elementary school in Las Vegas. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 12 Nov. 2025

Two years into the advertising agency’s inception, Patricia Arquette is lending her nearly four decades of experience in the industry to Juxtapose Studio. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English incepcion, from Latin inception-, inceptio, from incipere to begin, from in- + capere to take

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inception

• conception
• deception
• exception
• perception
• reception
• apperception
• contraception
• interception
• misconception
• misperception
• preconception
• intussusception

Kids Definition

inception

noun

in·​cep·​tion in-ˈsep-shən 

: an act or instance of beginning