concept

1 of 2

noun

con·​cept ˈkän-ˌsept How to pronounce concept (audio)
1
: something conceived in the mind : thought, notion
2
: an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances
the basic concepts of psychology
the concept of gravity

concept

2 of 2

adjective

1
: organized around a main idea or theme
a concept album
2
: created to illustrate a concept
a concept car
Choose the Right Synonym for concept

idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan).

idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed.

innovative ideas
my idea of paradise

concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be.

a society with no concept of private property

conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result.

our changing conception of what constitutes art

thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining.

commit your thoughts to paper

notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental.

you have the oddest notions

impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses.

the first impression is of soaring height

Examples of concept in a Sentence

Noun She is familiar with basic concepts of psychology. a concept borrowed from computer programming
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
SpaceX is working on a concept version of Starlink for Mars, according to a NASA presentation. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024 Just, a cognitive neuroscientist at Carnegie Mellon University, helped pioneer the use of fMRI and machine learning to understand how the brain stores and processes concepts and meaning. Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Folk hopes the multi-concept space can operate as a hub for the Paddington community. Chloe Sachdev, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2023 The project is planned to go before the planning commission on Oct. 18 for a pre-concept review. Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2022 See all Example Sentences for concept 

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Latin conceptum, neuter of conceptus, past participle of concipere to conceive — more at conceive

First Known Use

Noun

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of concept was in 1561

Dictionary Entries Near concept

Cite this Entry

“Concept.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concept. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

concept

noun
con·​cept
ˈkän-ˌsept
1
: something conceived in the mind : thought, notion
2
: a general idea
the basic concepts of physics
conceptual
kən-ˈsep-chə(-wə)l
-ˈsepsh-wəl
adjective

Medical Definition

concept

noun
con·​cept ˈkän-ˌsept How to pronounce concept (audio)
1
: something conceived in the mind
2
: an abstract or generic idea generalized from particular instances

More from Merriam-Webster on concept

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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