begin

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

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

   They have begun their residency in orthopedics.

2. 2
   verb

   to set in motion, cause to start

   Let us begin before it gets too late.

3. 3
   verb

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

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

4. 4
   verb

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

   Do we have enough time to begin a cigar?

5. 5
   verb

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

   The race begins right over the hill.

6. 6
   verb

   to have a beginning characterized in some specified way

   The novel begins with a murder.

7. 7
   verb

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

   The number 'one' begins the sequence.

8. 8
   verb

   To start, to initiate or take the first step into something.

   I began playing the piano at the age of five.

Etymology

From Middle English beginnen, from Old English beginnan (“to begin”), from Proto-West Germanic *biginnan, from Proto-Germanic *biginnaną (“to begin”), from be- + base verb *ginnaną also found in Old English onginnan.