concept

noun con·cept \ ˈkän-ˌsept \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of concept

1 : something conceived in the mind : thought, notion

2 : an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances

the basic concepts of psychology

the concept of gravity

See concept defined for English-language learners

See concept defined for kids

Examples of concept in a Sentence

She is familiar with basic concepts of psychology.
a concept borrowed from computer programming

Recent Examples of concept from the Web

More than three centuries after Dutch settlers built the financial center’s namesake barrier, Wall Street is more of a concept than a place.

— rob urban, Bloomberg.com, "Wall Street Is Moving, and It’s Reshaping New York," 14 May 2018
Today, as images are increasingly captured on digital sensors rather than 35-mm film, the relationship between a 50-mm lens and normal vision has become more of a concept than an ideal physical correspondence.

— allain daigle, The Atlantic, "How the 50-mm Lens Became ‘Normal’," 13 May 2018
Video by Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press Wochit Coaching changes and simplification of concepts were all the rage this spring.

— nick baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Ask Nick: Is Michigan's offensive line capable of a leap?," 12 May 2018
Within a day of the announcement this week, Dardaman published a proof of concept that showed how the new functionality could be programmed to run the CoinHive cryptomining program through an Excel document.

— lily hay newman, WIRED, "Microsoft's Latest Excel Update Has Security Pros Anxious," 11 May 2018
The open-concept living-dining-kitchen space features wood floors and light taupe walls.

— andrea siegel, baltimoresun.com, "High-end rental homes in Ocean City, Rehoboth Beach offer luxury on vacation," 9 May 2018
For example, research out of Yale Law School suggests that when people form their opinions on contentious topics such as climate change or evolution, political or religious values trump knowledge of the concept.

— amanda montañez, Scientific American, "People Who Understand Evolution Are More Likely to Accept It," 8 May 2018
Discontent in the West today, and faltering material prosperity, are both driven by the abandonment of the concept of limited government.

— WSJ, "Examining China’s Challenge to Democracy," 4 May 2018
As a proof of concept, the GM and Auodesk made a seat bracket.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "GM Is Getting Ready to Put 3D-Printed Parts in Its Cars," 3 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'concept.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of concept

Latin conceptum, neuter of conceptus, past participle of concipere to conceive — more at conceive

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1556

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

concept Synonyms

Synonyms

abstraction, cogitation, conception, idea, image, impression, intellection, mind's eye, notion, picture, thought;

Near Antonyms

actuality, fact, reality;

preconception, prejudice, prepossession;

delusion, hallucination, illusion, phantasm (also fantasm);

caprice, conceit, fancy, vagary, whim;

cognition, observation, perception, reflection;

assumption, belief, conclusion, conviction;

conjecture, guess, hunch, hypothesis, speculation, supposition, surmise, theory;

brainchild, brainstorm, brain wave, inspiration;

Synonym Discussion of concept

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

concept

adjective

Definition of concept

1 : organized around a main idea or theme

a concept album

2 : created to illustrate a concept

a concept car

See concept defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of concept from the Web

Concept art showed a mystical, face-having tree looming over a parking lot full of ordinary looking sedans.

— joanna robinson, HWD, "Everything You Need to Know About Disney and Pixar’s Dazzling New Slate," 14 July 2017
Concept art showed a mystical, face-having tree looming over a parking lot full of ordinary looking sedans.

— joanna robinson, vanityfair.com, "Everything You Need to Know About Disney and Pixar’s Dazzling New Slate," 14 July 2017
Concept cars are built to introduce bold ideas, practical and otherwise.

— the washington post, The Denver Post, "Your car wants to say hello. And that’s only the start.," 10 Jan. 2017

Origin and Etymology of concept

see ¹concept

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1896

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

CONCEPT Defined for English Language Learners

concept

noun

Definition of concept for English Language Learners

: an idea of what something is or how it works

concept

adjective

Definition of concept for English Language Learners

: organized around a main idea or theme
: created to show an idea

CONCEPT Defined for Kids

concept

noun con·cept \ ˈkän-ˌsept \

Definition of concept for Students

: something thought of : a general idea

concepts of science

Medical Dictionary

concept

noun con·cept \ ˈkän-ˌsept \

medical Definition of concept

1 : something conceived in the mind

2 : an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances

Learn More about concept

See words that rhyme with concept Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for concept Spanish Central: Translation of concept Nglish: Translation of concept for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of concept for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about concept

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concept

Definition of concept

Examples of concept in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of concept

concept Synonyms

Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of concept

concept

Definition of concept

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Origin and Etymology of concept

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CONCEPT Defined for English Language Learners

concept

Definition of concept for English Language Learners

concept

Definition of concept for English Language Learners

CONCEPT Defined for Kids

concept

Definition of concept for Students

Medical Dictionary

concept

medical Definition of concept

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