inception

noun

in·​cep·​tion in-ˈsep-shən 

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

Synonyms

• alpha
• baseline
• beginning
• birth
• commencement
• dawn
• day one
• genesis
• get-go
• git-go
• incipience
• incipiency
• kickoff
• launch
• morning
• nascence
• nascency
• onset
• outset
• start
• threshold

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

Now, Amir Efrati at The Information notes that Google is trying to recover some of that market and attention from OpenAI, which has been dominant in-AI powered search since its inception. —John Werner, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Since its inception, 86 partners including retailers, freight carriers, logistics providers, port operators, and trade associations have been sharing data to provide a more holistic view of trade, identifying trends, strengths, and weaknesses in the U.S. supply chain and infrastructure. —Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024

Since its inception, Passionflix has produced 28 original movies, four series and 11 short films, all adapted from romantic fiction by female authors. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 21 Dec. 2024

Since Google Fiber’s inception in 2010, the company has been gradually expanding its fiber footprint across the US while achieving faster speeds. —Emma Roth, The Verge, 20 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

inception

noun

in·​cep·​tion in-ˈsep-shən 

: an act or instance of beginning