beginning

Pluralbeginnings

1. 1
   opening partnouncountable or uncountable

   The start or first part of something.

   Like the first few pages of a story.

   Rent is due at the beginning of each month.

   I read the whole book from beginning to end.

   UsageSay at the beginning of the film. In the beginning means at first.

   Oppositeend, ending, conclusion, finish

   Note
2. 2
   getting startedverb

   Present participle of begin. Use it with is, was, will be, and so on, to talk about something starting.

   She is beginning her new job tomorrow.

   The students are beginning to understand the lesson.

   UsageWrite nn (not incorrect: begining). Say beginning to rain, with to.

   Note
3. 3
   sourcenouncountable or uncountable

   The thing that starts or causes something else.

   Like a single seed that a whole tree grows from.

   Curiosity was the beginning of all her later success.

   A small idea can be the beginning of a great invention.

   Similarorigin, source, start (entry), root

4. 4
   adjectivecolloquial

   Coming at the start of something that has parts or stages.

   Like the opening lines of a song.

   The beginning chapters of the book are a little slow.

   She read the beginning pages first.

   UsageUsed before a noun: beginning pages. First pages is more usual.

   Similaropening, introductory, initial, first

   Oppositeclosing, final, concluding, last

5. 5
   early formnouncountable or uncountable

   An early part of something that has just started to develop.

   Like the first tiny shoots of a plant breaking through the soil.

   We could see the beginning of a garden in the empty lot.

   Those scribbles were the beginnings of a famous comic.

   UsageOften the beginnings of something, like a beard.

   Similarstart (entry), germ

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