begin

¹

[ bih-gin ]

verb (used without object)

, be·gan [bih-, gan], be·gun [bih-, guhn], be·gin·ning [bih-, gin, -ing].

1. to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of some action; commence; start:

   The story begins with their marriage.

   Antonyms: end

2. to come into existence; arise; originate:

   The custom began during the Civil War.

verb (used with object)

, be·gan, be·gun, be·gin·ning.

1. to proceed to perform the first or earliest part of (some action):

   Begin the job tomorrow.

2. to originate; be the originator of:

   civic leaders who began the reform movement.

   Synonyms: initiate, inaugurate, institute

3. to succeed to the slightest extent in (followed by an infinitive):

   The money won't even begin to cover expenses.

Begin

²

[ bey-gin ]

noun

1. Me·na·chem [m, uh, -, nah, -, kh, uh, m], 1913–92, Israeli political leader, born in Poland: prime minister 1977–83; Nobel Peace Prize 1978.

Begin

¹

/ ˈbɛɡɪn /

noun

1. BeginMenachem19131992MIsraeliPolishPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: prime minister Menachem (məˈnɑːkɪm). 1913–92, Israeli statesman, born in Poland. In Palestine after 1942, he became a leader of the militant Zionists; prime minister of Israel (1977–83); Nobel peace prize jointly with Sadat 1978. In 1979 he concluded the Camp David treaty with Anwar Sadat of Egypt

begin

²

/ bɪˈɡɪn /

verb

1. to start or cause to start (something or to do something)
2. to bring or come into being for the first time; arise or originate
3. to start to say or speak
4. used with a negative to have the least capacity (to do something)

   he couldn't begin to compete with her

5. to begin with
   in the first place

Word History and Origins

Origin of begin¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English beginnen, Old English beginnan, equivalent to be- be- + -ginnan “to begin,” perhaps originally “to open,” akin to yawn

Word History and Origins

Origin of begin¹

Old English beginnan ; related to Old High German biginnan , Gothic duginnan

Idioms and Phrases

• charity begins at home
• (begin to) see the light
• to start (begin) with

Synonym Study

Begin, commence, initiate, start (when followed by noun or gerund) refer to setting into motion or progress something that continues for some time. Begin is the common term: to begin knitting a sweater. Commence is a more formal word, often suggesting a more prolonged or elaborate beginning: to commence proceedings in court. Initiate implies an active and often ingenious first act in a new field: to initiate a new procedure. Start means to make a first move or to set out on a course of action: to start paving a street.

Example Sentences

Founded in 2004, Legendary built a name for itself by investing in such films as “Batman Begins” and the “Hangover” movies.

From Los Angeles Times

Begun in the summer of 2022, it provides block grants and technical assistance to organizations and tribes for repurposing irrigated agricultural land to uses that reduce reliance on groundwater while providing new community benefits.

From Los Angeles Times

And proceed with caution: Begin with low weights and just a few repetitions.

From Los Angeles Times

Begin by listing common pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

From Seattle Times

Begun on the premise that book clubs were too restrictive and too chardonnay-focused, they wanted to provide a space where there was no assigned reading and everyone was welcome.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• commence
• create
• do
• establish
• found
• go ahead
• go into
• inaugurate
• initiate
• introduce
• launch
• lead
• make
• open
• prepare
• produce
• set up
• start
• undertake