preconceive

verb

pre·​con·​ceive ˌprē-kən-ˈsēv How to pronounce preconceive (audio)
preconceived; preconceiving; preconceives
Synonyms of preconceivenext

transitive verb

: to form (an opinion) prior to actual knowledge or experience
preconceived notions

Examples of preconceive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As leaders, preconceived notions can blind us from being truly open to change and innovation. — Glenn Taylor, Forbes, 18 Apr. 2023 To overcome these hurdles, incumbents need to recognize and change preconceived notions and ingrained behaviors that are holding them back. — François Candelon, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preconceive was in 1558

Rhymes for preconceive

See All Rhymes for preconceive

Browse Nearby Words

precomputer
preconceive
preconcept
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preconceive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preconceive. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

preconceive

verb
pre·​con·​ceive ˌprē-kən-ˈsēv How to pronounce preconceive (audio)
: to form (an opinion or idea) beforehand
preconceived notions about foreign lands
preconception
-ˈsep-shən
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on preconceive

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for preconceive

Nglish: Translation of preconceive for Spanish Speakers

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All