Conception Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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conception

[kənˈsɛpʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

idea development

Conception refers to the process of forming or developing an idea, plan, or concept in one's mind.

Synonyms

concept, idea, notion, thought.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
conception	Used when referring to the origin or beginning of something, or the way something is perceived or understood. The conception of the new technology changed the industry Her conception of justice was very different from his
idea	Commonly used in daily conversation to refer to a thought or suggestion about what to do or how to solve a problem. I have no idea how to fix this That’s a great idea for a birthday gift!
notion	Used when referring to a belief or opinion, often something that is not fully formed or is somewhat vague. She had a notion that he might be lying His notion of happiness is very different from mine
thought	Refers to something that you think about, often used in contexts where considering or reflecting on something is involved. I need to give it some thought before making a decision The thought of moving to a new city excites me
concept	Used when discussing a general idea or understanding of something, often abstract and used in academic or professional contexts. The concept of freedom varies greatly between cultures They introduced a new concept in their marketing strategy

Examples of usage

His conception of the project was innovative and well-thought-out.
She had a clear conception of how to improve the company's efficiency.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

beginning of pregnancy

Conception is also used to describe the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, marking the beginning of a pregnancy.

Synonyms

beginning of pregnancy, fertilization, impregnation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
conception	Used generally to describe the moment when an idea is formed or the beginning stage of anything, including pregnancy. It is often used in medical, scientific, and everyday language. The conception of the new project took a lot of brainstorming. Conception occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg.
fertilization	A technical term used in biology and medicine to describe the process by which a sperm cell joins with an egg cell. Often used in scientific discussions or education. Fertilization is a critical step in the reproductive process. In vitro fertilization is a treatment for some types of infertility.
impregnation	This word may carry a more clinical or sometimes negative connotation. It’s often used in scientific contexts or to describe the act of making someone pregnant. The impregnation of the eggs was successful in the lab experiment. He spoke about the process of impregnation in the study.
beginning of pregnancy	Specifically refers to the initial phase after conception when a woman first becomes pregnant. It is typically used in medical contexts or discussions about pregnancy. The beginning of pregnancy can be a very emotional time. She felt excited during the beginning of her pregnancy.

Examples of usage

The doctor confirmed that conception had occurred, and she was expecting a baby.
They were overjoyed when they learned about the successful conception.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'conception'

The word 'conception' originated from the Latin word 'conceptio', which means 'a comprehending, a collection or sum'. It has been used in English since the 14th century with various meanings related to the beginning or formation of ideas, plans, or pregnancies.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,179, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3176 rubber
3177 customs
3178 moisture
3179 conception
3180 amongst
3181 argue
3182 stones
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