inception

noun

in·​cep·​tion in-ˈsep-shən 

: an act, process, or instance of beginning : commencement

a project kept secret since its inception

Synonyms of inception

• beginning
• commencement
• start
• onset
• launch
• alpha

Choose the Right Synonym for inception

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence.

origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile

the source of recurrent trouble

inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

Examples of inception in a Sentence

The project has been shrouded in controversy from its inception.

Since its inception, the business has expanded to become a national retail chain.

We'll assist you at every stage from inception to completion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Since its inception in 2013, the festival has taken place in Los Angeles in the fall, showcasing speculative cinema from around the globe. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025

Since its inception, IEEPA has been invoked 69 times, and no president has ever used it to impose tariffs. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 5 Nov. 2025

Michael Palank has been General Partner at MaC Venture Capital since its inception in January 2019. —Mike Palank, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025

Valetta donned the iconic deep neckline tropical print gown that Jennifer Lopez helped make infamous at the 2000 Grammys (and helped spark the inception of Google Images). —Anika Reed, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English incepcion, from Latin inception-, inceptio, from incipere to begin, from in- + capere to take

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inception

• conception
• deception
• exception
• perception
• reception
• apperception
• contraception
• interception
• misconception
• misperception
• preconception
• intussusception

Kids Definition

inception

noun

in·​cep·​tion in-ˈsep-shən 

: an act or instance of beginning