concept

noun

con·cept | \ ˈkän-ˌsept

How to pronounce concept (audio)

\

Definition of concept

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

concept

adjective

Definition of concept (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : organized around a main idea or theme a concept album

2 : created to illustrate a concept a concept car

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about concept

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Choose the Right Synonym for concept

Noun

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 concept in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Yet all these brands fundamentally misunderstand the concept. — Gabi Thorne, Allure, "We Need to Talk About “Consent Condoms,” and Why They Don’t Work," 11 Apr. 2019 The home is perfect for people who love indoor-outdoor living concepts. — Alexis Jones, Marie Claire, "Orlando Bloom's House Is Being Sold by the Cast of 'Selling Sunset'," 5 Apr. 2019 What was the general design concept for Mercado Little Spain? — Vanessa Lawrence, ELLE Decor, "A Mecca of Spanish Design and Food Opens in New York," 3 Apr. 2019 While the idea of girls asking guys is incredibly heteronormative, the whole concept that there are only people who identify as either girls or boys is entirely false and harmful. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "What Even is a Sadie Hawkins Dance and Where Did It Come From?," 14 Feb. 2019 Martin, who is now 14, originally came up with the film's concept at just 11 years old. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Marsai Martin Pitched Little to Film Studios When She Was 11. Now It Officially Has a Trailer.," 10 Jan. 2019 The concept of a candle-textile pairing is a tradition for Diptyque. — Monique Valeris, ELLE Decor, "Diptyque's New Collection with Pierre Frey is a Must-Have for Candle Lovers," 4 Mar. 2019 The idea of a conveyor belt runway may seem like something of the future, but the concept was actually a nod to couture salons of the past. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Models Stood on a Conveyor Belt Instead of Walking the Runway at Dior Men's," 18 Jan. 2019 Australia The study draws on the concept of soft power first outlined by political scientist Joseph Nye, which has three pillars: political values, culture, and foreign policy. — Natasha Bach, Fortune, "Under President Trump, the U.S.'s 'Soft Power' Is Waning," 13 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

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

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.

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Learn More about concept

Dictionary Entries near concept

concentric groove

Statistics for concept

Last Updated

20 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for concept

The first known use of concept was in 1556

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More Definitions for concept

concept

noun

English Language Learners Definition of concept

(Entry 1 of 2)

: an idea of what something is or how it works

concept

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of concept (Entry 2 of 2)

: organized around a main idea or theme

: created to show an idea

See the full definition for concept in the English Language Learners Dictionary

concept

noun

con·cept | \ ˈkän-ˌsept

\

Kids Definition of concept

: something thought of : a general idea concepts of science

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

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