conceive

[kuhn-seev]

verb (used with object)

conceived, conceiving 

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)

conceived, conceiving 

1. to form an idea; think (usually followed byof ).

2. to become pregnant.

conceive

/ kənˈsiːv /

verb

1. 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

Other Word Forms

• conceiver noun
• nonconceiving noun
• reconceive verb

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

John Adams, the nation’s first vice president, declared the position to be “the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived, or his imagination conceived.”

From Salon

Whoever came up with the saying about reading a person by looking at their shoes did not conceive of barefoot tech billionaires.

From Salon

The couple had been trying to have a baby for four years before Macie-Mae was conceived.

From BBC

Olsen: For you as a performer, have you already conceived of what that backstory is?

From Los Angeles Times

Betro, 45, had travelled to England from her home in West Allis, Wisconsin, to carry out a planned assassination that was conceived by co-conspirator Mohammed Nazir, whom she had met on a dating app.

From BBC

Related Words

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