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

Both determinism and free will can lend themselves to a conception of life that implies a sense of underlying order. —The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023

And that culture and that conception are in their last stages, which bodes ill for Thanksgiving's retention of its core meaning. —Jack Butler, National Review, 23 Nov. 2023

However, the book seems to suggest that exchanging anecdotes and tales, in the way that Juan and the narrator do, can fortify people who have been marginalized in the here and now, and guide them toward a conception of what could be. —Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 16 Nov. 2023

But the craving for a more holistic conception of beauty feels real. —Meng Jin, Vogue, 11 Nov. 2023

Traditional conceptions of friendship Previous generations of behavioral scientists traditionally focused on the notion that people form friendships with those who are similar, familiar and in close proximity to them. —Jessica D. Ayers, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023

Plus, my stress levels shoot up when traveling, which is not great for conception. —Sophie Strosberg, Parents, 26 Oct. 2023

Unlike, say, Furby, American Girl appears to have inhered in some essential way within the millennial conception of self. —Lizzie Feidelson, The New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2023

Because that’s the only conception people have of a film with a candidate in it. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Nov. 2023

See More

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

• self-conception
• no conception of

• self-conception
• no conception of

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