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

Zen Buddhism calls this shoshin, beginner’s mind, or the ability to see life with fresh eyes, free of preconceptions. —Colin Bedell, Them, 18 Mar. 2025

The people who try to tame the wild horse talk, as does the Lakota Indian who escapes captivity with him, and the result is a story that plays with your preconceptions of what Americana and an animal adventure can be. —James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025

Jaguar designer Malcom Sayer’s exquisite bolide exploded preconceptions of automotive beauty and performance. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 7 Mar. 2025

But white pants bring with them a host of associations and preconceptions about elitism, privilege and, in the case of boating, retrograde Boston Brahmin values, that anyone considering a pair of white jeans may want to consider. —Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, 24 Feb. 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