noun
conception
kuhn-SEHP-shuhn
noun
1
The moment an egg is fertilized, marking the start of a pregnancy.
"The due date is calculated from the estimated date of conception."
2
An idea, plan, or mental image of how something works or should be.
"His conception of justice differed sharply from hers."
"The original conception of the building looked nothing like the finished result."
How to Use Conception
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the biological start of a pregnancy, or a person's mental idea or understanding of something.
Common pairings
at the moment of conception
a clear conception of
Word Forms
conceptions plural
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The due date is calculated from the estimated date of _____.
Etymology
From Old French conception, from Latin conceptiō, "a becoming pregnant" or "a comprehending" — from concipiō ("conceive"). Related to concept.