conception

noun

con·​cep·​tion kən-ˈsep-shən 

1

a(1)

: the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both

(2)

: embryo, fetus

b

: beginning

"Joy had the like conception in our eyes … "

—William Shakespeare

2

a

: the capacity, function, or process of forming or understanding ideas or abstractions or their symbols

He directed the project from conception to completion.

b

: a general idea : concept

We get the conception of an animal … by comparing different animals …

—John Stuart Mill

c

: a complex product of abstract or reflective thinking

the philosopher's conception of reality

d

: the sum of a person's ideas and beliefs concerning something

his conception of the American dream

3

: the originating of something in the mind

an artist's conception of how the city would look a hundred years from now

conceptional

kən-ˈsep-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

conceptive

kən-ˈsep-tiv 

adjective

Synonyms

• concept
• generality
• generalization
• notion
• stereotype

Choose the Right Synonym for conception

idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan).

idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas

my idea of paradise

concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

Examples of conception in a Sentence

He directed the project from conception to production.

the conception of a new device

They have a clear conception of how the process works.

a child's conception of responsibility

They have very different conceptions of the proper role of government.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, both adoption and conception turned out to be challenging journeys. —Jordan Greene, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025

What is the big challenge about a world with little patience, and leaning into films that can take years between conception and release? —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 11 Apr. 2025

This is in part due not only to changes in writing and conception, but also in performances. —Christian Lewis, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025

Here, the president asserted that only two sexes exist: Male and female, established at conception and immutable. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English concepcioun, from Anglo-French concepcion, from Latin conception-, conceptio, from concipere — see concept entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing conception

• no conception of
• self-conception

Rhymes for conception

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

Kids Definition

conception

noun

con·​cep·​tion kən-ˈsep-shən 

1

: the beginning of pregnancy involving formation of a zygote

2

a

: the function or process of conceiving ideas

b

: a general idea : concept

had no conception of what he was saying

3

: the originating of an idea

the conception of a new device

Medical Definition

conception

noun

con·​cep·​tion kən-ˈsep-shən 

1

a

: the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both

b

: embryo, fetus

2

a

: the capacity, function, or process of forming or understanding ideas or abstractions or their symbols

b

: a general idea