preconception

noun

pre·​con·​cep·​tion ˌprē-kən-ˈsep-shən 

1

: a preconceived idea

2

: prejudice

Synonyms

• prejudgment
• prepossession

Examples of preconception in a Sentence

I came to the lecture without any preconceptions.

tried to go into the training sessions without any preconceptions

Recent Examples on the Web

Why some people love being famous and others hate it Your preconceptions of fame shape your experience. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025

Twists play with expectation, challenging initial preconceptions, but there’s no grandstanding. —David Opie, IndieWire, 3 Apr. 2025

The main thing isn’t to play into the preconceptions of formalwear, but to chip away at them to find a personal style that works for you. —Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

One of the biggest surprises, and don’t worry, this is something that comes up almost immediately in episode one, is when a character’s appearance and voice don’t exactly match up to our preconceptions. —Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for preconception

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

Medical Definition

preconception

adjective

pre·​con·​cep·​tion -kən-ˈsep-shən 

: occurring prior to conception

preconception genetic counseling