inception

noun

in·​cep·​tion in-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce inception (audio)
Synonyms of inception
: an act, process, or instance of beginning : commencement
a project kept secret since its inception

Synonyms of inception

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And of the 1,514 laws that the Supreme Court struck down from its inception to mid-2017, only a hundred and eighty-two of them—twelve per cent—were federal. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Ceremony and traditions From its inception to 2019, the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony was held in Cambridge, Massachusetts. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026 After each meeting, a colleague would ask if there had been any progress citing the days, months and finally years since the committee’s inception. — Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Since the band’s inception in 1990, the OG riot grrrls of Bikini Kill made social justice the centripetal force of their furor — long before Daisy Chain Fields, and even its late ‘90s predecessor Lilith Fair. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inception

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of inception was in the 15th century

Rhymes for inception

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Cite this Entry

“Inception.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inception. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

inception

noun
in·​cep·​tion in-ˈsep-shən How to pronounce inception (audio)
: an act or instance of beginning
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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