n.
Pronunciation: bi- ' gin, b ē -
Function: verb
Inflected Form: be · gan \ - ' gan \ ; be · gun \ - ' g ə n \ ; be · gin · ning
Etymology: Middle English beginnen, from Old English beginnan; akin to Old High German biginnan to begin, Old English on ginnan
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 : to do the first part of an action : go into the first part of a process : START
2 a : to come into existence : ARISE b : to have a starting point
3 : to do or succeed in the least degree <I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am>
transitive verb
1 : to set about the activity of : START
2 a : to bring into being : FOUND b : ORIGINATE , INVENT
– to begin with : as the first thing to be considered
synonyms BEGIN , COMMENCE , START , INITIATE , INAUGURATE , USHER IN mean to take the first step in a course, process, or operation. BEGIN , START , and COMMENCE are often interchangeable. BEGIN opposed to end, is the most general < begin a trip> < began dancing>. START opposed to stop, applies especially to first actions, steps, or stages <the work started slowly>. COMMENCE can be more formal or bookish than BEGIN or START < commence firing> < commenced a conversation>. INITIATE implies taking a first step in a process or series that is to continue < initiated diplomatic contacts>. INAUGURATE suggests a beginning of some formality or notion of significance <the discovery of penicillin inaugurated a new era in medicine>. USHER IN is somewhat less weighty than INAUGURATE < ushered in a period of economic decline>.