conception

con·cep·tion | \ kən-ˈsep-shən

Definition of conception

1a(1) : the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both

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

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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 Unfortunately, Iman had a tumor that prevented conception and Tam did not have high quality sperm, according to the International Rhino Foundation. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Last Sumatran Rhino in Malaysia Dies Months After the Death of Her Potential Mate," 25 Nov. 2019 He’s often stopped by fans who credit their children’s conception to his work. — Keyaira Boone, Essence, "Tank Doesn't Get 'Dirty' To His Own Music," 4 Nov. 2019 Since the conception of the petition by Edwards-Butler and the BSU, the petition has garnered over 500 signatures online from students, alumni, staff and faculty. — Levi Edwards | Ledwards@al.com, al, "Samford’s Black Student Union calls for action on viral, racially insensitive picture," 28 Oct. 2019 With all the ethical challenges of working with human embryos, the long-term research agenda for conception in the cosmos is fraught, at best. — Wired, "Scientists Take Baby Steps Toward Extraterrestrial Babies," 27 Oct. 2019 The Polish government has long maintained that its responsibility for protecting human life begins at conception. — Anna Louie Sussman, The New Yorker, "When the Government Seizes Your Embryos," 22 Oct. 2019 Experiments with willing people, which involved temporarily blocking blood flow in and out of limbs, further bore out Harvey’s revolutionary conception of blood circulation. — Adam Hadhazy, Discover Magazine, "The Top 10 Science Experiments of All Time," 10 Oct. 2019 To Zabinski and his supporters, an embryo is just as worthy of protection as a fetus of any gestational age, based on the moral principle that life begins at conception. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, chicagotribune.com, "As abortion opposition rallies, some activists are taking aim at in vitro fertilization, frozen embryos," 8 Oct. 2019 But West’s conception of himself is very large and cannot be contained by black solidarity — or, indeed, by any solidarity. — Kevin D. Williamson, National Review, "The Gospel According to Kanye," 7 Nov. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

3 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Conception.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conceptions. Accessed 13 December 2019.

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More Definitions for conception

conception

noun