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Which phrase refers to a concept that exists only in theory?

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concept

American  

[kon-sept] / ˈkɒn sɛpt /

noun

• concepts
  plural

1. a general notion or idea; conception.

2. an idea of something formed by mentally combining all its characteristics or particulars; a construct.

3. a directly conceived or intuited object of thought.

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adjective

1. functioning as a prototype or model of new product or innovation.

   a concept car,

   a concept phone.

verb (used with object)

1. Informal. to develop a concept of; conceive.

   He concepted and produced three films.

concept British  

/ ˈkɒnsɛpt /

noun

1. an idea, esp an abstract idea

   the concepts of biology

2. philosophy a general idea or notion that corresponds to some class of entities and that consists of the characteristic or essential features of the class

3. philosophy

   1. the conjunction of all the characteristic features of something

   2. a theoretical construct within some theory

   3. a directly intuited object of thought

   4. the meaning of a predicate

4. (modifier) (of a product, esp a car) created as an exercise to demonstrate the technical skills and imagination of the designers, and not intended for mass production or sale

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• concepts
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of concept

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin conceptum “something conceived,” originally neuter of conceptus “conceived,” past participle of concipere “to conceive,” equivalent to con- con- ( def. ) + -cipere, combining form of capere “to seize”

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Explanation

A concept is a thought or idea. If you're redecorating your bedroom, you might want to start with a concept, such as "flower garden" or "outer space." It's a general idea about a thing or group of things, derived from specific instances or occurrences. It often applies to a theoretical idea in science: Einstein's contribution to the concept of relativity. Concept was borrowed from Late Latin conceptus, from Latin concipere "to take in, conceive, receive." A concept is an idea conceived in the mind. The original meaning of the verb conceive was to take sperm into the womb, and by a later extension of meaning, to take an idea into the mind.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

concept concepts

Huang was known for forging financial relationships with Nvidia suppliers and customers, a concept referred to by some on Wall Street as circular financing.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 13, 2026

Then he invoked taqiyya, a religious concept of self-preservation that anti-Muslim activists distort into the claim that Muslims lie to non-Muslims and have a secret plan to take over.

From Slate ● Nov. 13, 2026

Rather than being handed an existing concept, the team pitched its own story, setting the game in a fictional Scottish town.

From BBC ● Nov. 13, 2026

"Invidia" can also be associated with the concept of the "evil eye," a curse cast via a single glance.

From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2026

There is a very firm, consistent basis for the concept of limits.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife

ISO 9000, for example, lays out the basic concepts and vocabulary of quality management.

From Slate ● Nov. 8, 2026

At 592 pages, this book could easily feel like a smug kiss-off to all those — present company included — who have criticized Schoenbrun’s reluctance to pare down their concepts into less dense works.

From Salon ● Oct. 29, 2026

Scientists suspect that dopamine and norepinephrine work together to support learning, potentially allowing the brain to acquire several complex and abstract concepts at the same time.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026

Altogether, they represent the historical forces that shape social concepts like Blackness.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 20, 2026

Other motifs in the story are attached to concepts, for example ‘transformation’ or ‘love’ or ‘servitude’, or to things, such as a ‘spear’, the ‘gold’ or the ‘River Rhine’.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

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Related Words

• conception
• idea
• image
• notion
• theory
• thought
• view

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