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n. 1. The act or process of bringing or being brought into being; a start: the beginning of the universe. 2. a. The time when something begins or is begun: the beginning of June. b. The place where something begins or is begun: at the beginning of the road. 3. a. The first part: The front matter is at the beginning of the book. b. often beginnings An early stage or phase: the beginnings of human life on this planet. c. The source or cause: What was the beginning of the dispute? Synonyms: beginning, birth, dawn, genesis, nascence, rise These nouns denote the initial stage of a developmental process: the beginning of a new era in technology; the birth of the industrial economy; the dawn of civilization; the genesis of quantum mechanics; the nascence of classical sculpture; the rise and decline of an ancient city-state. Antonym: end |
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