beginning

Pluralbeginnings

1. 1
   opening partnouncountable or uncountable

   The point in time or space at which something starts, or its first part or stage.

   We missed the beginning of the film because of traffic.

   Readers often skim the beginning of a long report.

   UsageUsually at the beginning of the film; in the beginning, without of, means at first.

   Oppositeend, ending, conclusion, finish

   Note

   Here the word marks a place in something that runs on, such as a story, a street or a stretch of years. Frances Keinzley's The Cottage at Chapelyard (1975) plays on the stock advice to start at the beginning, which only invites the question of which beginning is meant. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • Frances Keinzley wrote The Cottage at Chapelyard. en.wiktionary.org
   • The novel plays on advice to start at the beginning by questioning which beginning is meant. en.wiktionary.org
2. 2
   getting startedverb

   Present participle of begin.

   Snow was beginning to fall as we left the house.

   The committee is beginning a review of the policy.

   UsageSpelled with nn (not incorrect: begining). Before another verb, usually beginning to + verb: beginning to rain.

   Note

   W. B. Maxwell's The Mirror and the Lamp (1918) writes that the evening only seemed beginning, using it directly after seem. Source

   Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

   • W. B. Maxwell wrote The Mirror and the Lamp. en.wikisource.org
   • The novel's narration says that the evening only seemed beginning, with beginning directly after seemed. en.wiktionary.org
3. 3
   sourcenouncountable or uncountable

   The source or first cause from which something originates.

   Many myths name water as the beginning of all life.

   She believes curiosity is the beginning of all real learning.

   Similarorigin, source, start (entry), root

4. 4
   adjectivecolloquial

   Forming the first portion of something extended in space or time.

   The beginning sections of the report cover background material.

   The beginning chapters of the book are slow, but the ending is great.

   UsageUsed before a noun: the beginning chapters; opening or first chapters is more usual in careful writing.

   Similaropening, introductory, initial, first

   Oppositeclosing, final, concluding, last

5. 5
   early formnouncountable or uncountable

   Something that has been started; an early rudiment or basic element of a larger whole.

   The beginning of a smile crossed her face.

   After two weeks of camping, Tom had the beginnings of a scruffy beard.

   UsageOften plural: the beginnings of a beard, the beginning of a smile.

   Similarstart (entry), germ

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