1
: to do the first part of an action : go into the first part of a process : start
began by introducing herself
will have to begin again
2
a
: to come into existence : arise
Their problems were just beginning.
b
: to have a starting point
Her career began in Chicago.
Prices begin at $110 per night.
3
: to do or succeed in the least degree
I can't begin to tell you how pleased I am.
1
: to set about the activity of : start
They began the lecture at 10:00.
have already begun construction
see also:
Examples of begin in a Sentence
They will begin construction on the new school soon.
I got the job and I begin work on Monday!
She'll begin the lecture at 10.
He plans to begin the project later this week.
They both began their careers at the local newspaper.
The university began accepting applications in November.
I had just begun eating when the phone rang.
She interrupted as soon as I began to speak.
Now that I've begun, I'll go on till I finish.
I began the quilt last month.
Recent Examples on the Web
When Tomlin stepped away as coach in January, the team hired McCarthy, who first began coaching Rodgers in 2006.
—
Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 May 2026
The two-day state finals begin on May 29 in Clovis, California.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
McIlroy began the third round five shots behind but with 29 players ahead of him.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
When the legislative session began earlier this year, Connecticut lawmakers pledged to focus on affordability and cost, seeking to keep the state on track as national economic uncertainty persists — and as a number of consumer costs, ranging from healthcare to energy, were on the rise.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for begin
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Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 May 2026
The two-day state finals begin on May 29 in Clovis, California.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026
McIlroy began the third round five shots behind but with 29 players ahead of him.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2026
When the legislative session began earlier this year, Connecticut lawmakers pledged to focus on affordability and cost, seeking to keep the state on track as national economic uncertainty persists — and as a number of consumer costs, ranging from healthcare to energy, were on the rise.
—P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for begin
Cite this Entry
“Begin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/begin. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
begin
verb
be·gin
bi-ˈgin 
Biographical Definition
Begin
biographical name
Be·gin
ˈbā-gin
Me*na*chem
mə-ˈnä-ḵəm
1913–1992 prime minister of Israel (1977–83)
1913–1992 prime minister of Israel (1977–83)
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