conception

The beginning of pregnancy, when a sperm joins an egg.

• Conception happened in early June.
• The couple had difficulty with conception.
• Some women notice changes soon after conception.

Similar words: fertilization

Common phrases: after conception, time of conception, natural conception

An idea, picture, or understanding of something that you have in your mind.

• We have different conceptions of success.
• Her conception of family includes close friends.
• The book challenges our usual conception of time.

How to use it: conception of something (His conception of justice differs from mine.)

Similar words: idea, notion, concept

Common phrases: conception of something, a narrow conception, a different conception

The process of developing a new idea or plan.

• The project changed after its conception.
• She guided the design from conception to completion.
• They discussed the conception of a new transport system.

How to use it: conception of something (The conception of the plan took several months.)

Similar words: creation, formulation

Common phrases: initial conception, conception of something, from conception onwards