Conception — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /kən-ˈsep-shən/ con·cep·tion

Meaning & Definition of Conception

Conception (noun)

  1. the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both
  2. embryo, fetus
  3. beginning

Conception (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an idea or statement about all of the members of a group or all the instances of a situation

    "the false conception that wheelchair users are homebound and helpless"

    similar: concept, generality, generalization, notion, stereotype
    related: bromide, cliché, commonplace, platitude, truism, adage, proverb, saw, saying, hypothesis, proposition, theory, oversimplification, simplification, simplism

  2. something imagined or pictured in the mind

    "our changing conceptions of what constitutes art"

    similar: abstraction, cogitation, concept, idea, image, impression, intellection, mind's eye, notion, picture, thought
    related: apprehension, premonition, presentiment, preconception, prejudice, prepossession, chimera, delusion, hallucination, illusion, phantasm, caprice, conceit, fancy, freak, kink, vagary, whim, cognition, observation, perception, reflection, assumption, belief, conclusion, conviction, conjecture, guess, hunch, hypothesis, speculation, supposition, surmise, theory, brainchild, brainstorm, brain wave, inspiration
    near: actuality, fact, reality

Related Entry: Misconception (noun)

Misconception is a different word from Conception. The synonyms below are for misconception, not for conception.

  1. a false idea or belief

    "it is a popular misconception that the Great Wall of China is visible from outer space"

    similar: delusion, error, fallacy, falsehood, falsity, hallucination, illusion, misbelief, myth, old wives' tale, untruth
    related: factoid, superstition, fiction, pretense, distortion, inaccuracy, misapprehension, miscomprehension, misinterpretation, misjudgment, misperception, misunderstanding, misinformation, misknowledge, misreport, misrepresentation, misstatement, sophism, sophistry, fib, half-truth, lie, story, tale
    opposite: truth, verity

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Conception

The most common words with a similar meaning to Conception:

concept, generality, generalization, notion, stereotype, abstraction, cogitation, idea, image, impression, intellection, mind's eye, picture, thought

Related Words for Conception

bromide, cliché, commonplace, platitude, truism, adage, proverb, saw, saying, hypothesis, proposition, theory, oversimplification, simplification, simplism, apprehension, premonition, presentiment, preconception, prejudice, prepossession, chimera, delusion, hallucination, illusion, phantasm, caprice, conceit, fancy, freak

Near Antonyms of Conception

actuality, fact, reality

Word Forms of Conception

Derived words: conceptional (adjective), conceptive (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Conception

Middle English concepcioun, from Anglo-French concepcion, from Latin conception-, conceptio, from concipere see concept:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Conception

Words & Phrases Containing Conception

Immaculate Conception, self-conception, no conception of, misconception

Frequently Asked Questions about Conception

What does "Conception" mean?

"Conception" means the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both. As a noun, it is defined as: the process of becoming pregnant involving fertilization or implantation or both. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Conception"?

Other words for "Conception" include concept, generality, generalization, notion, stereotype, abstraction, cogitation and idea. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Conception" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Conception"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Conception". Common alternatives include concept, generality, generalization, notion, stereotype, abstraction, cogitation, idea, image and impression.

How do you use "Conception" in a sentence?

Examples of "Conception" in a sentence: "the false conception that wheelchair users are homebound and helpless"; "our changing conceptions of what constitutes art".

Is "Conception" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Conception" is a noun.

Is "Conception" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Conception" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Conception"?

"Conception" is pronounced /kən-ˈsep-shən/ and divided into syllables as con·cep·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Conception"?

"Conception" comes from Middle English concepcioun, from Anglo-French concepcion, from Latin conception-, conceptio, from concipere see concept:1. First known use: 14th century.