[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/conception/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [C](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/c/) / conception # conception noun (conception, conceptions) «conception» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Conception is the moment when a baby starts to grow inside its mother, when a sperm joins an egg. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#m1) 2. A conception is an idea or understanding of something, how you picture it in your mind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#m2) 3. Conception is the start or the first forming of a plan or an idea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#m3) 4. (church) The Immaculate Conception is a Catholic belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was free from sin from the start of her life. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#m4) ### In the lessons In science and sex education lessons, conception is the start of pregnancy. In thinking and maths, pupils may have a «misconception» — a wrong idea. In projects and art, the conception is the first idea. Phrases: «from conception to birth», «a clear conception of», «misconception», «from its conception». ### Examples - Pregnancy lasts about nine months from conception to birth. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#x1) - A baby begins to form at conception. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#x2) - He had no conception of how big the ocean really is. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#x3) - From its conception, the park was meant for children. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#x4) - It is a common misconception that bats are blind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#x5) - Catholics celebrate the Immaculate Conception of Mary. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#x6) - The Lares Familiares were a much more pleasing conception. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/#x7) ### Note The verb is «conceive»; the adjective «conceptual». Trap: «misconception» means a wrong idea, not a failed pregnancy. Catholic trap: the Immaculate Conception is about Mary's own beginning, not the birth of Jesus, which many people confuse. ## In Jewish tradition In the Prophets and Writings, conception means becoming pregnant. Hosea warns that Ephraim will have no conception, and Ruth is given conception by God. **Interpretation.** Tradition teaches that God opens the womb, so Ruth's conception is read as God's gift. In Sefer Yetzirah the word means an idea or picture of creation. ### Examples - The conception of Creation as a network of ontological interdependencies is perhaps apparent in the ‘231 gates’ referred to above in SY 2:4; see also SY 6:2.\] How did He combine them? (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/conception/#x1) - P. 12 1. 25 For conceptions read conceptions (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/conception/#x2) - As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird; there shall be no birth, and none with child, and no conception. (Prophets HOS.9.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/conception/#x3) - So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. (Writings RUT.4.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/conception/#x4) ### Note The verb is «conceive»; the adjective «conceptual». Trap: «misconception» means a wrong idea, not a failed pregnancy. Catholic trap: the Immaculate Conception is about Mary's own beginning, not the birth of Jesus, which many people confuse. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «conception» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/conception/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«conception» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/conception.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «conception» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/conception/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«conception» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/conception.html) on Mova free.