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.