concept

1 of 2

noun

con·​cept ˈkän-ˌsept 

1

a

: something conceived in the mind : thought, notion

When Merv Griffin came up with the concept for Wheel of Fortune in 1973, he wanted a wheel similar to the … wheel seen at casinos.

—Martin Holmes

b

—used in phrases like what a concept to say that a notion is self-evident

We've seen … that as access to women's sports increases, so does the interest. What a concept!

—Nancy Armour

2

: an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances

the basic concepts of psychology

a concept borrowed from computer programming

They seem a little unclear on the concept of good manners.

concept

2 of 2

adjective

1

: organized around a main idea or theme

a concept album

2

: created to illustrate a concept

a concept car

Synonyms of concept

Noun

• notion
• conception
• stereotype
• theory

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

The concept at the center of this debate dates back to a 1957 proposal by Nobel laureate Richard Feynman, who suggested that if gravity could cause two massive objects to become quantumly entangled, then gravity itself must be quantum in nature. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2025

Heading into the playoffs, the Blue Jays rely on these principles not as concepts on paper, but as daily practices that sustain performance under pressure. —Karl Moore, Forbes.com, 24 Oct. 2025

Adjective

But Chalhoub also has his sights set on America, with the company launching its mega-concept Level Shoes via e-commerce there and eyeing possible brick-and-mortar. —Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025

Concept art showed a mystical, face-having tree looming over a parking lot full of ordinary looking sedans. —Joanna Robinson, HWD, 14 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

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

First Known Use

Noun

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing concept

• concept album
• concept car
• high-concept
• proof of concept
• self-concept
• unclear on the concept of
• what a concept

Kids Definition

concept

noun

con·​cept

ˈkän-ˌsept

1

: something conceived in the mind : thought, notion

2

: a general idea

the basic concepts of physics

conceptual

kən-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l

-ˈsepsh-wəl

adjective

Medical Definition

concept

noun

con·​cept ˈkän-ˌsept 

1

: something conceived in the mind

2

: an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances