conception

UK: /kənˈsɛpʃ^ən/ US: /kənˈsɛpʃən/ ,(kən sep′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•cep•tion /kənˈsɛpʃən/   n. 

1. [uncountable] fertilization; the process in which there is union of sperm and egg.
2. [countable] a notion;
   general idea;
   concept:
   had no conception of the forces that would be used against him.
3. the act or power of forming notions, ideas, or concepts in the mind:
   [uncountable] The conception of the plan was fine; it was the implementation that never worked.

con•cep•tion•al, adj. 
con•cep•tive /kənˈsɛptɪv/  adj. See -cep-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•cep•tion  (kən sep′shən), n. 

1. the act of conceiving;
   the state of being conceived.
2. fertilization;
   inception of pregnancy.
3. a notion;
   idea;
   concept:
   She has some odd conceptions about life.
4. something that is conceived:
   That machine is the conception of a genius.
5. origination;
   beginning:
   The organization has been beset by problems from its conception.
6. a design;
   plan.
7. a sketch of something not actually existing:
   an artist's conception of ancient Athens.
8. the act or power of forming notions, ideas, or concepts.

• Latin conceptiōn- (stem of conceptiō), equivalent. to Latin concept- (see concept) + -iōn- -ion
• Middle English concepcion 1300–50

con•cep′tion•al, adj. 
con•cep′tive, adj. 
Synonyms

• 3. See idea. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

conception / kənˈsɛpʃən/ noun

1. something conceived; notion, idea, design, or plan
2. the description under which someone considers something: her conception of freedom is wrong
3. the fertilization of an ovum by a sperm in the Fallopian tube followed by implantation in the womb
4. origin or beginning

Etymology: 13th Century: from Latin conceptiō, from concipere to conceive

conˈceptional, conˈceptive adjective