conceive

[ kuhn-seev ]

verb (used with object)

, con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing.

1. to form (a notion, opinion, purpose, etc.):

   He conceived the project while he was on vacation.

2. to form a notion or idea of; imagine.
3. to hold as an opinion; think; believe:

   I can't conceive that it would be of any use.

4. to experience or form (a feeling):

   to conceive a great love for music.

5. to express, as in words.
6. to become pregnant with.
7. to beget.
8. to begin, originate, or found (something) in a particular way (usually used in the passive):

   a new nation conceived in liberty.

9. Archaic. to understand; comprehend.

verb (used without object)

, con·ceived, con·ceiv·ing.

1. to form an idea; think (usually followed by of ).
2. to become pregnant.

conceive

/ kənˈsiːv /

verb

1. whenintr, foll by of; when tr, often takes a clause as object to have an idea (of); imagine; think
2. tr; takes a clause as object or an infinitive to hold as an opinion; believe
3. tr to develop or form, esp in the mind

   she conceived a passion for music

4. to become pregnant with (young)
5. rare.
   tr to express in words

Derived Forms

• conˈceiver, noun

Other Words From

• con·ceiv·er noun
• non·con·ceiv·ing noun adjective
• re·con·ceive verb reconceived reconceiving

Word History and Origins

Origin of conceive¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English from Anglo-French, Old French conceivre, from Latin concipere “to take fully, take in,” equivalent to con- con- + -cipere, combining form of capere “to take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of conceive¹

C13: from Old French conceivre, from Latin concipere to take in, from capere to take

Synonym Study

See imagine.

Example Sentences

But she still feels angry that she was robbed of the chance to conceive naturally.

From BBC

The charity single was conceived as a way to tackle the famine that devastated Ethiopia in 1984.

From BBC

More importantly, Lovett lends majestic voice to the rhythms of Beckett’s play, originally written in French but conceived by an Irish imagination and translated by Beckett himself.

From Los Angeles Times

The tactic, conceived in the horse-and-buggy days when Congress met part time, would probably be challenged in court.

From Los Angeles Times

Expectant mothers and women trying to conceive should continue to take supplementary folic acid - the synthetic version of the vitamin folate - as currently advised by medical practioners.

From BBC

Related Words

• design
• develop
• devise
• dream up
• envision
• formulate
• originate
• produce
• realize
• visualize