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

Pope Francis told an audience at the Vatican that the teenager would be made a miracle during the weekend beginning 26 April.

From BBC

Figures show there were 629 foreign nationals in Scotland's jails as of the beginning of October – about 7.6% of the prison population.

From BBC

“You’re kind of set up for life,” said Laferriere who, at three weeks past his 23rd birthday, is just beginning that life.

From Los Angeles Times

Zeldovich has spun a thrilling tale, but one hopes it’s just the beginning and middle of the story, with the climax of phage-fueled medicine yet to come.

From Salon

Murray arrived at the Scarlets for the beginning of the 2024-25 season and has made six starts on the wing.

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.