inception

noun

in·​cep·​tion in-ˈsep-shən 

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

Synonyms

• 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

Saturday’s matchup is one of the 13 regular-season WNBA games on ABC, a league high since its inception. —Aaron Tolentino, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025

The Race Since its inception, healthcare AI has been transforming various facets of patient care, hospital operations, research and overall health outcomes. —Ming-Chien Chyu, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Imagining future or alternate realities in which our knowledge base is just a little cooler than reality has been a staple of the medium since its inception. —Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2025

Peterson, whose responsibilities include ordering the films, has worked on the series since its inception. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 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