conception
kuhn-SEHP-shuhn
Conception (noun) means the moment an egg is fertilized, marking the start of a pregnancy. Example: “The nurse explained how conception occurs when a sperm meets an egg.”
noun
1
The moment an egg is fertilized, marking the start of a pregnancy.
"The nurse explained how conception occurs when a sperm meets an egg."
"A healthy lifestyle before conception can improve the chances of a smooth 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.
"Most children have only a vague conception of how money works."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- conceptions
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The nurse explained how _____ occurs when a sperm meets an egg.
Etymology
From Old French conception, from Latin conceptiō, "a becoming pregnant" or "a comprehending" — from concipiō ("conceive"). Related to concept.
Synonyms
View more →
fertilization
inception
notion
mental image
creation
construct
design
innovation
excogitation
concept
invention
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for conception
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for conception →
Frequently asked questions
What does “conception” mean?
The word “conception” means the moment an egg is fertilized, marking the start of a pregnancy. In plain terms, either the biological start of a pregnancy, or a person's mental idea or understanding of something.
How do you pronounce “conception”?
“Conception” is pronounced kuhn-SEHP-shuhn (/kənˈsɛpʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “conception” in a sentence?
Here is “conception” used in a sentence: “The due date is calculated from the estimated date of conception.”
What is the opposite of “conception”?
The opposite of “conception” — its antonyms — is misconception.
What part of speech is “conception”?
“Conception” is a noun.
Where does the word “conception” come from?
The word “conception” comes from Latin. From Old French conception, from Latin conceptiō, "a becoming pregnant" or "a comprehending" — from concipiō ("conceive"). Related to concept.
Is “conception” a common word?
“Conception” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “conception” have?
“Conception” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the moment an egg is fertilized, marking the start of a pregnancy.
What is the difference between conception and pregnancy?
Conception refers to the specific moment an egg is fertilized, marking the biological start of a pregnancy, while pregnancy refers to the entire period of development that follows conception until birth.
What is the difference between conception and concept?
Conception refers to the act or process of forming an idea, or the resulting mental image itself, as in "her conception of justice," while a concept is the idea or notion itself. The two words are closely related but conception often emphasizes the process of forming the idea.
How is conception used outside of biology?
Outside biology, conception refers to an idea, plan, or mental image of how something works or should be, as in "the original conception of the project changed significantly during development."
