noun
Uncommon
inception
ihn-SEHP-shuhn
Inception (noun) means the beginning or establishment of something. Example: “The charity has grown enormously since its inception in 2005.”
noun
1
The beginning or establishment of something.
"My mother, at my inception, did not create that passionate lack of fear that is mine."
— Jack London (1915)
"From its inception, the agency has been helping people obtain and properly install car seats for children."
"The charity has grown enormously since its inception in 2005."
"The club has welcomed new members ever since its inception."
"At its inception, the project was just a rough idea on a napkin."
"Concurrent to this order, Good forged a link with Irish Railways, which resulted in the latter building five shunters with Brush equipment, marking the inception of dieselisation in the country."
— David Clough, Brush: a UK rail icon (2021)
How to use inception
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe starting point of something, often an organisation or project.
When to use it
Fairly formal — mostly used in writing about organisations, projects, or eras ("since its inception"), not everyday chat about starting something.
Common pairings
since its inception
from inception
at inception
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like inception.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- inceptions
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The charity has grown enormously since its _____ in 2005.
Etymology
From Latin inceptio, from incipiō, "to begin."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inception
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for inception →
Frequently asked questions
What does “inception” mean?
The word “inception” means the beginning or establishment of something. In plain terms, the starting point of something, often an organisation or project.
How do you pronounce “inception”?
“Inception” is pronounced ihn-SEHP-shuhn (/ɪnˈsɛpʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “inception” in a sentence?
Here is “inception” used in a sentence: “The charity has grown enormously since its inception in 2005.”
What part of speech is “inception”?
“Inception” is a noun.
Where does the word “inception” come from?
The word “inception” comes from Latin. From Latin inceptio, from incipiō, "to begin.".
Is “inception” a common word?
“Inception” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between inception and inauguration?
Inception refers simply to the beginning or establishment of something, without any ceremonial sense, while inauguration involves a formal ceremony marking that beginning. A project can have its inception quietly, long before any inauguration event takes place.
Is inception a formal word?
Yes, inception is generally used in formal or business contexts, such as describing the founding of a company or the start of a legal agreement, rather than in casual everyday speech.
