conception

noun

con·cep·tion | \ kən-ˈsep-shən

Definition of conception

1a(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

2a : 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

Other Words from conception Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About conception

Other Words from conception

conceptional \ kən-ˈsep-shnəl

, -shə-nᵊl \ adjective

conceptive \ kən-ˈsep-tiv

\ adjective

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 That liberty is a conception of the modern West about how artists should work, and it’s on view in the second show. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2021 Save for a couple of red beer tents, Ushguli remains mostly unchanged since its conception in the 12th century, with the wails of young boys racing bareback horses keeping the village abuzz. — Melanie Hamilton, CNN, 16 Dec. 2021 Calculating the epicyclic theory of the moon with epicyclic pin-and-slot gears in this subtle and indirect way was an extraordinary conception by the ancient Greeks. — Tony Freeth, Scientific American, 15 Dec. 2021 Since its conception, the charity has transformed the lives of over 4,000 girls by providing access to higher education and healthcare resources. — Ian Malone, Vogue, 12 Nov. 2021 For the first time since its conception in 2000, the reality show will crown its first Black winner on Wednesday, Sept. 29. — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE.com, 10 Sep. 2021 Unlike the Soho House and Hotel de Rome, the five- star Hotel Adlon Kempinski has been a signature hotel since its conception in 1907. — Shelby Knick, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021 Conversions had existed since the Roth’s conception, but they had been restricted to Americans making below $100,000 per year. — Justin Elliott, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2021 Mostly because the current conception doesn’t include the existence of me and almost 100 million Black people in Latin America. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Jan. 2022

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