CONCEPTION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does conception mean? 

• CONCEPTION (noun)
  The noun CONCEPTION has 4 senses:

1. an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

2. the act of becoming pregnant; fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon

3. the event that occurred at the beginning of something

4. the creation of something in the mind

  Familiarity information: CONCEPTION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONCEPTION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

concept; conception; construct

Hypernyms ("conception" is a kind of...):

idea; thought (the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "conception"):

division; part; section (one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole)

linguistic rule; rule ((linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice)

fact (a concept whose truth can be proved)

hypothesis; possibility; theory (a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena)

lexicalized concept (a concept that is expressed by a word (in some particular language))

law; law of nature (a generalization that describes recurring facts or events in nature)

law; natural law (a rule or body of rules of conduct inherent in human nature and essential to or binding upon human society)

whole (all of something including all its component elements or parts)

quantity (the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable)

abstract; abstraction (a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance)

attribute; dimension; property (a construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished)

regulation; rule (a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior)

category (a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations in a conceptual scheme)

notion (a general inclusive concept)

conceptualisation; conceptuality; conceptualization (an elaborated concept)

Antonym:

misconception (an incorrect conception)

Derivation:

conceptional (being of the nature of a notion or concept)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of becoming pregnant; fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("conception" is a kind of...):

sex; sex activity; sexual activity; sexual practice (activities associated with sexual intercourse)

Derivation:

conceive (become pregnant; undergo conception)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The event that occurred at the beginning of something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

conception; creation

Context example:

from its creation the plan was doomed to failure

Hypernyms ("conception" is a kind of...):

beginning (the event consisting of the start of something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "conception"):

fecundation; fertilisation; fertilization; impregnation (creation by the physical union of male and female gametes; of sperm and ova in an animal or pollen and ovule in a plant)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The creation of something in the mind

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

conception; design; excogitation; innovation; invention

Hypernyms ("conception" is a kind of...):

creative thinking; creativeness; creativity (the ability to create)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "conception"):

contrivance (the faculty of contriving; inventive skill)

concoction (the invention of a scheme or story to suit some purpose)

Derivation:

conceive (have the idea for)

 Context examples 

Expulsion of all the products of conception following spontaneous, medical or operative pregnancy termination.

(Complete Abortion, NCI Thesaurus)

It is formed after conception (fertilization of an egg by a sperm).

(Chorioadenoma destruens, NCI Dictionary)

The method by which conception or impregnation is prevented.

(Birth Control Method, NCI Thesaurus)

All products of conception are expelled and identified.

(Complete Abortion, Food and Drug Administration)

The prevention of conception or impregnation by the use of devices or drugs or surgery.

(Contraception, NCI Thesaurus)

An abnormal pregnancy in which the conception is implanted outside the endometrial cavity.

(Ectopic Pregnancy, NCI Thesaurus)

An abnormal pregnancy in which the conception is implanted and develops in the cornu of uterus.

(Cornual Pregnancy, NCI Thesaurus)

Products of conception expelled or removed upon miscarriage or termination of a pregnancy.

(Abortus, NCI Thesaurus)

However, women who took a daily multivitamin before conception and through early pregnancy were less likely to miscarry than women who did not.

(Couples’ pre-pregnancy caffeine consumption linked to miscarriage risk, NIH)

More readers write to ask about conception than any other question—and from December 20 to January 2, you will be outstandingly favored.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)