Meaning of 'begin'

verb

to take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

Example: "They have begun their residency in orthopedics."

Synonyms: start

verb

to set in motion, cause to start

Example: "Let us begin before it gets too late."

Synonyms: commence lead off start

verb

to achieve or accomplish in the least degree, usually used in the negative

Example: "This economic measure doesn't even begin to deal with the problem of inflation."

verb

to start an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object

Example: "Do we have enough time to begin a cigar?"

Synonyms: start

verb

to have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative sense

Example: "The race begins right over the hill."

Synonyms: start

verb

to have a beginning characterized in some specified way

Example: "The novel begins with a murder."

Synonyms: start

verb

to be the first item or point, constitute the beginning or start, come first in a series

Example: "The number 'one' begins the sequence."