beginning

[ bih-gin-ing ]

noun

1. an act or circumstance of entering upon an action or state:

   the beginning of hostilities.

   Synonyms: inception, inauguration, initiation

   Antonyms: ending

2. the point of time or space at which anything begins:

   the beginning of the Christian era; the beginning of the route.

   Synonyms: emergence, onset, outset, commencement, start

   Antonyms: end

3. the first part:

   the beginning of the book; the beginning of the month.

4. Often beginnings. the initial stage or part of anything:

   the beginnings of science.

5. origin; source; first cause:

   A misunderstanding about the rent was the beginning of their quarrel.

adjective

1. just formed:

   a beginning company.

2. first; opening:

   the beginning chapters of a book.

3. basic or introductory:

   beginning Spanish.

4. learning the fundamentals:

   a beginning swimmer.

beginning

/ bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ /

noun

1. a start; commencement
2. often plural a first or early part or stage
3. the place where or time when something starts
4. an origin; source

Word History and Origins

Origin of beginning¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, beginning is from the Middle English word beginnung, begonning. See begin, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

The data analysis looked for various influences on how much participants agreed with one key statement: "Since beginning this medication I have found I waste more of the food that I purchase."

From Science Daily

In Southern California, the chances for rain have been steadily increasing as the system advances, with forecasters now confident that the region could see measurable amounts beginning this weekend and into early next week.

From Los Angeles Times

"That was the beginning of our life and the peaches' life in Oklahoma," he said.

From Salon

In short, Florida's waters were once too frigid for manatees due to what is known as the Little Ace Age, a period of intermittent cooling beginning in the 1200s and lasting through the 1800s.

From Science Daily

"I already said from the beginning of the year that I was not entirely happy with how the car was handling."

From BBC

Related Words

• birth
• creation
• dawn
• inauguration
• inception
• introduction
• onset
• opening
• outset
• starting point
• top

How Do You Spell Beginning?

Spelling tips for beginning

The word beginning is hard to spell for two reasons. It doesn’t simply combine the base word (begin) with the suffix -ing, as is done in other easy-to-remember words that end in -ing, like starting and talking. Also, it can be tempting to use a double g (beggining) instead of a double n. 

How to spell beginning: To spell beginning, you take the base word begin and add an n at the end. Then, add the suffix -ing. Why do you need an extra n? Because you should begin right Now.