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inception

noun
in·​cep·​tion | \ in-ˈsep-shÉ™n How to pronounce inception (audio) \

Definition of inception

: an act, process, or instance of beginning : commencement
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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Only months after its inception, High Fidelity won top International Band Championship honors at the 40th Annual Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America Awards. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "High Fidelity will add new/old twist to Summergrass bluegrass festival," 15 Aug. 2019 George Halas, who ran the franchise for six decades after its inception in 1920, had a reputation for stinginess matched by few other figures in NFL history. — Will Larkin, chicagotribune.com, "Ranking the 100 best Bears players ever: No. 45, Joe Kopcha," 23 July 2019 Schools must wait a few years after their inception to become accredited, and Ham said TSCA is using outside consultants to assist with the process. — Rachel Berry, Cincinnati.com, "Company behind Creation Museum to operate Christian school," 8 July 2019 In the film, contemporary artists including Beck and Fiona Apple perform songs by the Canyon crowd that still hold up five decades after their inception. — Hugh Hart, Fortune, "Classic Rock Is Reanimating Summer 2019's Movies," 27 June 2019 Soon after its inception, NASA began planning a bevy of ambitious space missions, including funding several solar sail studies. — Amy Thompson, Smithsonian, "LightSail 2 Launches to Space to Soar on the Power of Sunshine," 25 June 2019 Nearly a decade after its inception, the ways Pinterest makes money are narrow. — Laura Forman, WSJ, "Pinterest Isn’t Picture Perfect Just Yet," 25 Mar. 2019 Though the device was initially intended to be a date-rape testing nail polish, the company pivoted after its inception in 2014. — Jenny Hollander, Marie Claire, "Undercover Colors' Date Rape Drug Test Tells You in 60 Seconds If Your Drink Was Drugged," 13 Sep. 2018 Nonetheless, the Paris Opera Ballet generally remained the central institution of ballet as a professional art form for at least two centuries after its inception in 1672. — Alastair Macaulay, BostonGlobe.com, "Ivor Guest, 97; transformed study of dance history," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inception.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of inception

15th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for inception

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

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More Definitions for inception

inception

noun
How to pronounce inception (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of inception

formal : the time at which something begins

See the full definition for inception in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on inception

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with inception

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for inception

Spanish Central: Translation of inception

Nglish: Translation of inception for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of inception for Arabic Speakers

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