concept

1 of 2

noun

con·​cept ˈkän-ˌsept How to pronounce concept (audio)
1
: something conceived in the mind : thought, notion
2
: an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances
the basic concepts of psychology
the concept of gravity

concept

2 of 2

adjective

1
: organized around a main idea or theme
a concept album
2
: created to illustrate a concept
a concept car
Choose the Right Synonym for concept

idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan).

idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

Examples of concept in a Sentence

Noun She is familiar with basic concepts of psychology. a concept borrowed from computer programming
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The concept for the primary bedroom was hatched after Johnson and Hovsepian stayed at the ornate Hotel Bauer in Venice while Hovsepian was participating in the 2022 Biennale. Max Berlinger Stefan Ruiz, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Amon developed the concept for the musical, which will feature a book and lyrics by Mario Vega and music and lyrics by Eliza Vedar. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for concept 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'concept.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin conceptum, neuter of conceptus, past participle of concipere to conceive — more at conceive

First Known Use

Noun

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of concept was in 1556

Dictionary Entries Near concept

Cite this Entry

“Concept.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concept. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

concept

noun
con·​cept
ˈkän-ˌsept
1
: something conceived in the mind : thought, notion
2
: a general idea
arrived at the concept of a flower by studying many different kinds of flowers
conceptual
kən-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l
-ˈsepsh-wəl
adjective

Medical Definition

concept

noun
con·​cept ˈkän-ˌsept How to pronounce concept (audio)
1
: something conceived in the mind
2
: an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances

More from Merriam-Webster on concept

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