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

Since the inception of Read to Reef in 2016, over 25,000 young readers have read more than 126,000 books as part of the club, resulting in the distribution of more than 98,000 aquarium tickets. —Nancy S. Grasmick, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2026

Since its inception, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been linked to numerous terrorist acts in countries throughout the world, especially by proxy through the use of paramilitary groups, such as Hezbollah, in the Middle East. —Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026

Introduced by Intel nearly 50 years ago, x86 is the leading instruction set that has dominated PC and server processor designs since its inception. —Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026

According to Powerball, the jackpot has been hit almost 200 times since the lottery's inception in 1992. —Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Mar. 2026

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