concept

[kon-sept]

noun

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.

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of concept¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of concept¹

C16: from Latin conceptum something received or conceived, from concipere to take in, _conceive

Example Sentences

“We came up with the concept of going and doing a bunch of shows in cities just before them to get people even more fired up, if that’s even possible.”

From Los Angeles Times

All-Stars against those from other countries has long been an appealing concept to Silver.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's impossible not to be moved by the real-life audio recording that is the centerpiece of Kaouther Ben Hania's hybrid film, but the ethics and execution of the concept are questionable," he wrote.

From BBC

That concept was extremely important for the Ukrainians, the source added.

From BBC

With “Gutfeld!” and with “The Five,” I really push the concept of teasing, because when I genuinely like somebody, I tease them.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• approach 
• conception 
• image 
• notion 
• perception 
• theory 
• thought 
• view