beginning
the event consisting of the start of something
How often you will meet it
Rank 746 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 25,175 times across 175,173 chapters — 0.012% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
noun
- the event consisting of the start of something the beginning of the war
- the time at which something is supposed to begin also: commencement, first, outset, get-go, start, kickoff they got an early startshe knew from the get-go that he was the man for her
- the first part or section of something `It was a dark and stormy night' is a hackneyed beginning for a story
- the place where something begins, where it springs into being also: origin, root, rootage, source the Italian beginning of the RenaissanceJupiter was the origin of the radiation
- the act of starting something also: start, commencement he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations
adjective
- serving to begin also: first the beginning canto of the poemthe first verse
beginning in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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The Gauls were beginning to invade Italy from the north.
Narrative and Lyric Poems (first series) · O. J. [Annotator] Stevenson · Chapter 1
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In fact it was only the beginning of it, as we shall see hereafter.
Snowflakes and Sunbeams · R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne · Chapter 1
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By this time, without any solicitation, they were at the horse's head and were beginning to turn him around.
Following the Equator — Part 1 · Mark Twain · Chapter 1
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Long waits between the acts, tardiness in beginning the performance, and all delays do much to destroy an otherwise happy impression.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1
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There can scarcely be a greater contrast in anything than that presented by the beginning of a station-day and its close.
The Station · William Carleton · Chapter 1