verb
conceive
To become pregnant or cause a pregnancy.
The couple hopes to conceive a child.
Etymology
The Latin verb includes taking in and becoming pregnant. The reproductive sense preserves that established use for the beginning of a new pregnancy.
More examples
- She conceived in the spring.
- They discussed the difficulty of conceiving.
- The child had been conceived before their move.
Forms
conceive · conceives · conceived · conceiving
conception noun — formation of an idea or pregnancy
Similar words
- become pregnant
- The everyday phrase for conception in the pregnant person.
- impregnate
- Specifically means causing someone to become pregnant.