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

I'm guessing that's because in the youth-obsessed entertainment industry, few know what it’s like to be old or conceive of that age as being a time of renewed independence and agency.

From Salon

Souza, who attended the premiere with Cline who replaced Hutchins as the film’s cinematographer, refused several requests to complete the film after the tragic shooting, saying he "couldn’t even conceive of ever being back on the set ever again because it just hurt too much".

From BBC

Writer and director Joel Souza, who was wounded in the shooting, told the BBC at the premiere that at one point he "couldn’t even conceive of ever being back on the set ever again, it just hurt too much".

From BBC

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

From BBC

This all doesn’t, though, preclude the possibility that these secretaries will have effective deputies, or that Trump will have advisers or “czars” within the White House, like far-right anti-immigrant figures Tom Homan and Stephen Miller, who can conceive and carry out extreme plans.

From Slate

Related Words

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