conceived

4 definitions • 8 examples

past simple and past participle of

to imagine something:

I think my uncle still conceives of me as a four-year-old.

He couldn't conceive of a time when he would have no job.

[ + question word ] I can't conceive (= it is too shocking to imagine) how anyone could behave so cruelly.

[ + that ] I find it hard to conceive (= it is too shocking to imagine) that people are still treated so badly.

to invent a plan or an idea:

He conceived the plot for this film while he was still a student.

The exhibition was conceived by the museum's director.

to become pregnant, or to cause a baby to begin to form:

Do you know exactly when you conceived?

The baby was conceived in March, so will be born in December.