- 1[transitive] (formal) to form an idea, a plan, etc. in your mind; to imagine something conceive something He conceived the idea of transforming the old power station into an arts center. conceive of something (as something) God is often conceived of as male. conceive (that)… I cannot conceive (= I do not believe)(that) he would wish to harm us. conceive what/how, etc… I cannot conceive what it must be like.
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- 2[intransitive, transitive] when a woman conceives or conceives a child, she becomes pregnant She is unable to conceive. conceive something Their first child was conceived on their wedding night. see conception conceive verbconceivable adjective (≠inconceivable)conceivably adverbconcept nounconception nounconceptual adjectiveconceive verbconceivable adjective (≠inconceivable)conceivably adverbconcept nounconception nounconceptual adjective
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NAmE//kənˈsiv//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they conceive he / she / it conceives
past simple conceived
-ing form conceiving
Check pronunciation: conceive