beginningbe‧gin‧ning /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/ ●●● S1 W2 noun [countable usually singular] 
She’s been here since the beginning of the year. There’s a short poem at the beginning of every chapter. From the beginning of my career as a journalist, I’ve been writing about gender issues. I thought he loved me; perhaps he did in the beginning. That chance meeting marked the beginning of a long and happy relationship. This is just the beginning of a new and different life for you. I said he would cause trouble, right from the beginning. I opposed it from the very beginning. The whole trip was a disaster from beginning to end. I feel like I’ve been offered a new beginning. Could we start at the beginning? Tell me where you first met him.2beginnings [plural] the early signs or stages of something that later develops into something bigger or more importantbeginning of I think I have the beginnings of a cold.from humble/small beginnings He rose from humble beginnings to great wealth.3the beginning of the end the time when something good starts to endGRAMMAR: Prepositions with beginning• You say in the beginning: · In the beginning, she didn’t like him.• You say at the beginning of a period of time: · I started my new job at the beginning of the year. ✗Don’t say: in the beginning of the yearCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa new beginning· The country needed a new government and a new beginning.verbsmark the beginning of something (also signal/herald the beginning of something) (=show that something is starting to happen)· This event marked the beginning of a ten-year worldwide depression.see the beginning of something (=be the time when something important starts to happen)· The 1970s saw the beginning of a technological revolution.phrasesright at/from the beginning (=used for emphasis)· That’s what I suggested right at the beginning.at/from the very beginning (=used for emphasis)· He had been lying to me from the very beginning.start at the beginning (=start a story or activity at the first part)· Just start at the beginning and tell us exactly what happened.from beginning to end· The whole project was full of problems from beginning to end.something is just/only the beginning (=used to emphasize that many more things will happen)· Signing the contract is just the beginning of a long process.THESAURUSbeginning the first part of something such as a story, event, or period of time: · The beginning of the movie is very violent.· Let’s go back to the beginning.start the beginning of something, or the way something begins: · Tomorrow marks the start of the presidential election campaign.· It was not a good start to the day.· The runners lined up for the start of the race.commencement formal the beginning of something – used especially in official contexts: · the commencement of the academic year· the commencement of the contractorigin the point from which something starts to exist: · He wrote a book about the origins of the universe.· The tradition has its origins in medieval times.the onset of something the time when something bad begins, such as illness, old age, or cold weather: · the onset of winter· An active lifestyle can delay the onset of many diseases common to aging.dawn literary the beginning of an important period of time in history: · People have worshipped gods since the dawn of civilization.birth the beginning of something important that will change many people’s lives: · the birth of democracy in South Africa· the birth of the environmental movement
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- School children are taught that stories should have a beginning, a middle and an end.
- The beginning of the movie is very violent.
- The author tells us who the killer is at the very beginning of the novel.
- From the beginning it was decided that the Group should be entirely independent of Aldus.
- It was the beginning of the end.
- Joan's been involved in disabled sport from its very beginning, at the Paraplegic Games at Stoke Mandeville in 1948.
- That was how we'd set it up from the beginning.
THESAURUS
the first part of something such as a story, event, or period of time: · The beginning of the movie is very violent.· Let’s go back to the beginning.
the beginning of something, or the way something begins: · Tomorrow marks the start of the presidential election campaign.· It was not a good start to the day.· The runners lined up for the start of the race.
formal the beginning of something – used especially in official contexts: · the commencement of the academic year· the commencement of the contract
the point from which something starts to exist: · He wrote a book about the origins of the universe.· The tradition has its origins in medieval times.
the time when something bad begins, such as illness, old age, or cold weather: · the onset of winter· An active lifestyle can delay the onset of many diseases common to aging.
literary the beginning of an important period of time in history: · People have worshipped gods since the dawn of civilization.
the beginning of something important that will change many people’s lives: · the birth of democracy in South Africa· the birth of the environmental movement
Longman Language Activatorthe beginning of something the first part of an event, period of time etc: the beginning of something: · I haven't seen her since the beginning of last year.· It was the beginning of a long friendship.· This fall's presidential election could mean the beginning of a new era in American politics.back to the beginning: · It's so long since I spoke German, I'd have to go right back to the beginning if I took a class in it now.
the beginning of something, or the way that something begins: the start of something: · The runners are now lining up for the start of the race.· Tomorrow marks the start of the presidential election campaign.· They had an exotic meal to celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year.a good/bad start to something: · A pint of vodka at eight o'clock in the morning was not a good start to the day.get off to a good/bad start: · If we get off to a good start this season, I think the team has a real chance to win the championship.
the origin of something is where it came from or how it first started to exist: · AIDS became widespread in the 1980s, but no-one is certain of its origin.origin of: · He's writing a dictionary that explains the origin of words.· Hughes's book 'The Fatal Shore' is a study of the origins of Australia as a British penal colony.· Advanced computer systems could trace the origin of every gun used in a violent crime.have your/its origins in something: · Today's ceremony is a modern version of a tradition which has its origins in medieval times.country/place of origin: · The magazines were organized by country of origin.
the starting point of something is where it begins or develops from: · If you want to learn about working overseas, this book would be a good starting point.starting point for/of: · Duffy's difficult relationship with her mother was the starting point for her fiction.· The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand is seen as the starting point of the war.
the time when something begins, especially something unpleasant such as an illness: the onset of something: · Make sure to check your air conditioning before the onset of hot weather.· The onset of the Depression meant starvation and suffering for millions of people.· DiPietro's research shows that an active lifestyle can delay the onset of many diseases common with aging.
at the beginning · At the start it looked as though Italy would win, but Argentina improved as the game went on.· She was nervous at the beginning but she settled down as she got further into her speech.at the beginning/start of · We pay our rent at the beginning of the month.· For homework tonight, start at the beginning of chapter three and read up to page 98.· At the start of the century, barely 3% of the population was literate.
use this to say what happened at the beginning, especially when something different happened later. Initially is more formal than at first: · Barney was quiet at first, but gradually he became more confident.· At first I didn't think Nancy and I would get along.· They offered her the job, initially on a temporary basis but later as a full member of the staff.
especially spoken use this to talk about what happens at the beginning, especially when something different may happen later: · Our employees receive health benefits and $28,000 a year to start with.· Even children who are healthy to begin with wouldn't survive long in these terrible conditions.
at the beginning - use this to talk about the situation at the time in the past when something first started: · Originally, they told me I was only going to work 35 hours a week.· Two hundred people showed up for the wedding, about 50 more than we originally planned.
formal if something is known, believed, decided etc at the outset , it is known etc from the very earliest point in a period of time or activity: · Sylvia knew at the outset what her ultimate goals were.· It had been decided at the outset that Theresa would be our spokesperson.
done or happening at the beginning: initial feelings/costs/reaction etc feelings, costs etc that exist or are experienced at the beginning of an event or process: · Simon's initial feeling when he heard about the wedding was surprise.· After initial delays, construction on the new library is due to start in two weeks.· The initial cost of the computer system is more than made up for in terms of eventual profit.
close to the beginning of an event, story, period of time etc: · I'll be seeing him early next week.early in the game/story/century etc: · Rangers scored early in the game but fell behind within ten minutes.
happening at the beginning of a process or event, especially in order to prepare for the rest of it: · The architect's plans are still in the preliminary stages.· Preliminary market research has shown that most Americans prefer environmentally-friendly products.
: introductory remark/paragraph/chapter etc something someone says or writes at the beginning of a book, speech etc to explain what it is about: · Williams cleared his throat, made a few introductory remarks welcoming everyone, then began his speech.· The text has been revised and a new introductory essay has been added for the second edition.
said or written at the beginning of a speech, book, play etc: · In the opening chapter, Ramona sits at the breakfast table thinking about the first day of school.· The audience strongly objected to the opening remarks of the president's speech.· Hilary makes a brief appearance in the opening scene, but doesn't have a major part.
the time when something is first used or discovered the time when an important new idea, method, or product is first used or discovered, especially one that will lead to important changes: · With the arrival of the railroads after the Civil War, more and more people began moving west to California.· The arrival of convenience foods took much of the hard work out of preparing meals.
also the advent of formal the time when an important new system, idea, product, or method begins to exist or be used, causing important changes in society: · The Middle East changed dramatically with the coming of Islam 600 years after Christ.· Before the coming of the railways in the late 1860s these old roads were the only link between towns.· The advent of TV led to major changes in our social and family life.· Women workers tended to lose their jobs with the advent of new technology.
the beginning of something, for example a new political movement, that will become more and more important, and will change the way many people behave or think: · More than anyone else, Elvis Presley was responsible for the birth of rock and roll.· The birth of modern science was to fundamentally change people's attitudes towards religion.
the beginning of an important period of time in history - used especially in literature: · People have worshipped gods since the dawn of civilization.· Ordinary life would never be the same again after the dawn of the Industrial age.· A small group of poets and writers ushered in the dawn of the Romantic era in literature.
from the beginning · Tell me everything that happened, from the beginning.· Their marriage has been in trouble from the start.right from the beginning/start (=from the very earliest time) · Right from the start I could tell she didn't like me.· Mark felt very comfortable in his new job, right from the beginning.from start to finish (=from the beginning to the end) · This project has been a complete nightmare from start to finish.
informal from the beginning - used especially when something has happened or existed continuously since the beginning: · Eva's been very supportive from the word go.· The Elfin Theatre Company was doomed to failure from the word go.
if something has been the situation or has been someone's purpose since or from day one , it has clearly been the situation or their purpose ever since the beginning: · From day one I knew we'd have a strong team this year.· We've opposed this amendment since day one and we'd be stupid to change our minds now.
from the time when a continuing activity or process began: · The new group had, from the outset, campaigned for an improvement in childcare provision.· I was determined from the outset to make the most of going to university.
the first part of a story, book, film etc · Schoolchildren are taught that stories should have a beginning, a middle and an end.the beginning of something · The beginning of the movie is very violent.· The author tells us who the killer is at the very beginning of the novel.
the point where a film, book, story etc begins: · I tried to read 'Tristram Shandy' but I couldn't get past the start.the start of something: · Not much happens at the start of the film -- don't worry if you're late.· Speakers often give an overview at the start of a lecture and a summary at the end.
the first part of a piece of writing that has several parts, especially parts that can be studied separately: · Children will enjoy this movie, though they may be confused during the first part.the first part of something: · The first part of this textbook deals with mechanics.· Please turn to the first part of the report, which relates to safety matters.
the first words or phrases of a book or play which are very important because they tell you about the scene, the characters, and the writer's ideas: · After a slow dream-like opening, the play explodes into life.the opening of: · The opening of Charles Dickens' 'Bleak House' describes a thick London fog.
something that comes at the beginning of a book, speech etc also intro informal a short explanation, description, or discussion at the beginning of a book, piece of music etc: · After an introduction by the chairperson, we'll get on with the day's discussions.· None of us know anything about this subject, so we'd appreciate it if you give us a brief intro before you start.· The drummer gave a four-bar intro before the other musicians joined in.introduction to: · In the introduction to her fascinating book, O'Brien explains how she first became interested in music.
an introduction to a speech or piece of writing, especially one that is boring or too long: · There's a big difference between the document's lengthy preamble and the actual content.
an introduction to a piece of writing, for example a play or a long poem: · The brief prologue sets the scene for what is to follow.prologue to: · In his prologue to 'Faust', Goethe said some very interesting things about art.
a part of a book that comes before the main part and explains what it is about: · This edition contains a new preface by the author.preface to: · Murray agreed to write the preface to Baker's book, as a favor to his old friend.
during the whole of an event or period of time: all the time (that) · I couldn't really enjoy my holiday because I was sick all the time I was there.· All the time I was talking to him he just sat and stared at the television.
during all of a particular period of time, especially when this is a long time: · Lester was sickly all through his childhood.· Yvonne lived in Switzerland throughout the war.
during all of the day, night, summer etc: · It often rains here all day long.· The music coming from the apartment upstairs kept me awake all night long.
if a particular situation has existed all along , it has existed all the time right from the beginning, although you may not have known about it: · I spent over an hour looking for my keys, and they were in my purse all along.be right all along: · He realized that she'd been right all along.
if an event or something that you do is good, bad etc from start to finish , it is like that from the time it begins until it ends: · It was an awful day at work - problems from start to finish.· The whole thing was a disaster from beginning to end.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives Saccani’s excellent recording is an auspicious start to what promises to be a distinguished musical career. the beginning of a new epoch the lengthening days that signal the end of winter
· The country needed a new government and a new beginning.
verbs (also signal/herald the beginning of something) (=show that something is starting to happen)· This event marked the beginning of a ten-year worldwide depression.
(=be the time when something important starts to happen)· The 1970s saw the beginning of a technological revolution.
phrases (=used for emphasis)· That’s what I suggested right at the beginning.
(=used for emphasis)· He had been lying to me from the very beginning.
(=start a story or activity at the first part)· Just start at the beginning and tell us exactly what happened.
· The whole project was full of problems from beginning to end.
(=used to emphasize that many more things will happen)· Signing the contract is just the beginning of a long process.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Saccani’s excellent recording is an auspicious start to what promises to be a distinguished musical career.· Coco Chanel was born in France at the beginning of the century.
· His character is introduced at the beginning of the first chapter.
· Michael Jordon led the race from beginning to end.
the beginning of a new epoch· The closure of the last coal mine marked the end of an era in Wales.
· You’ll receive your wages at the end of the month.
· The Chancellor is confident that we shall see the end of the recession in the next few months.
the lengthening days that signal the end of winter· The beginning of term was only two days away.
· It is clear from the very beginning of the play that he is a weak and unpopular ruler.
· They moved here at the beginning of last year.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· From humble beginnings sales have quadrupled and are set for further high growth in the next three years.· He had no one to envy, for life had been good to him, especially considering his humble beginnings.· From such apparently humble beginnings a competent operator can produce very professional documents indeed.· He went on to speak at length of how he, Fakhru, had started out from just such humble beginnings.· To his humble beginnings in Up Hatherely and his school days.· From such humble beginnings in a remote Lincolnshire village he was, however, destined to make his impression on the world.· From those humble beginnings, Oxfam has grown into Britain's largest aid agency with an income of nearly 70 million pounds.
· But even then the war would be only just beginning.· And the nightmare was only just beginning.· But they were only just beginning.· Your student days at Nottingham may be over but your links with the University are just beginning.· Clearly our troubles are just beginning.· The party's only just beginning.· I am sure they are just beginning.
· For men, returning home after years away from their wives and children, a new beginning had to be made.· There were so many new beginnings.· Again there was a new beginning for me in September.· Spare us the cliched drivel of how spring training mirrors life's new beginnings.· Its director, David Briar has seen how the farmers have made a new beginning.· It seemed to promise a new beginning, almost a new birth.· There may be a feeling of having wasted life, with less hope of a new beginning.· She was determined not to look on it as the ending of a chapter but the making of a new beginning.
· We are only beginning to realize the significance of stone.· But even then the war would be only just beginning.· But these dead letters troubled him, physically even, because they were only beginnings.· The real debate is only beginning.· The finishing time of 8 o'clock came and went, and they were only beginning.· He revealed that the poet's connection with and knowledge of the primitive were only beginnings and not ends in themselves.· Athens' troubles were only beginning.· But it was only beginning ....
· From that small beginning over 3,300 churches and 650,000 members have grown, grouped into Associations and co-ordinated at State level.· Their teams were chosen by the national selectors. Small beginnings All that changed, though, a dozen years ago.· It was in that kind of environment that the Takeover Panel started its life from small beginnings and with a light touch.· For this reason production cooperatives must be encouraged to grow from small beginnings over a period of time with sensitive support.· From very small beginnings, by 1990 about 1,500 plants employed almost half a million workers producing a great variety of goods.· From small beginnings in the eighteenth century it prospered in the depression after 1814.· Thus it was a small but important beginning.· From these small beginnings it has grown into something large.
· Decide from the very beginning that your aim is to use the target language as much as possible in the sessions.· He was a strong and greedy monarch who pursued a course of military aggrandisement from the very beginning of his reign.· Let's start at the very beginning.· This time she started to interrogate me from the very beginning.· Rachel, Herbert Varley's wife, had been helping since the very beginning.· This had been on the cards from the very beginning.· Indeed, this room represents the very beginning of the Rococo in Prague.· Joan's been involved in disabled sport from its very beginning, at the Paraplegic Games at Stoke Mandeville in 1948.
VERB· This date was adopted by various countries as marking the beginning of the year.· The slight improvements in the eighteenth century are important because they mark the beginning of the downward trend.· It marked the beginning of the London Stock Exchange and an international trading boom for Britain.· Vienne marked the beginning of the papacy's long exile in Avignon.· However, 1983 also marked the beginning of severe destabilization.· It is this decision which is taken to mark the beginning of the Hundred Years War.· Puberty Puberty marks the biological beginning of adult life.· It marked the beginning of Richard's association with Aquitaine.
· Bells were rung at either end of a conversation to signal the beginning and end of the call.
· Let's start at the very beginning.· In order to start at the logical beginning I went with the default selection, Title.· I wanted to start at the beginning.· Even the King had to start learning at the beginning, didn't he?· Listen, let me start at the beginning.· Neglect of the educational needs of people starts at the very beginning.· We plan to carry out a borehole survey starting during hte week beginning 26 April 1993.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- a report on the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic
- Mandela's release was the beginning of the end of apartheid.
- Can this be the beginning of the end for vastly over priced computer training courses?
- His death was the beginning of the end, the ultimate cause, as Rex sees it, of his own injuries.
- In retrospect it is clear to me that my arrival at Salomon marked the beginning of the end of that hallowed institution.
- It was the beginning of the end.
- One seat: Was it the beginning of the end?
- That, according to a 150-page draft report, was the beginning of the end.
- The failure of those protests was the beginning of the end of a postwar dream of social transformation through political means.
- Would this be the beginning of the end of the regime?
- But Effie Bawn was in at the start.
WORD FAMILYnounbeginnerbeginningverbbegin
1the start or first part of an event, story, period of time etcbeginning of She’s been here since the beginning of the year. There’s a short poem at the beginning of every chapter. From the beginning of my career as a journalist, I’ve been writing about gender issues. I thought he loved me; perhaps he did in the beginning. That chance meeting marked the beginning of a long and happy relationship. This is just the beginning of a new and different life for you. I said he would cause trouble, right from the beginning. I opposed it from the very beginning. The whole trip was a disaster from beginning to end. I feel like I’ve been offered a new beginning. Could we start at the beginning? Tell me where you first met him.2beginnings [plural] the early signs or stages of something that later develops into something bigger or more importantbeginning of I think I have the beginnings of a cold.from humble/small beginnings He rose from humble beginnings to great wealth.3the beginning of the end the time when something good starts to endGRAMMAR: Prepositions with beginning• You say in the beginning: · In the beginning, she didn’t like him.• You say at the beginning of a period of time: · I started my new job at the beginning of the year. ✗Don’t say: in the beginning of the yearCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa new beginning· The country needed a new government and a new beginning.verbsmark the beginning of something (also signal/herald the beginning of something) (=show that something is starting to happen)· This event marked the beginning of a ten-year worldwide depression.see the beginning of something (=be the time when something important starts to happen)· The 1970s saw the beginning of a technological revolution.phrasesright at/from the beginning (=used for emphasis)· That’s what I suggested right at the beginning.at/from the very beginning (=used for emphasis)· He had been lying to me from the very beginning.start at the beginning (=start a story or activity at the first part)· Just start at the beginning and tell us exactly what happened.from beginning to end· The whole project was full of problems from beginning to end.something is just/only the beginning (=used to emphasize that many more things will happen)· Signing the contract is just the beginning of a long process.THESAURUSbeginning the first part of something such as a story, event, or period of time: · The beginning of the movie is very violent.· Let’s go back to the beginning.start the beginning of something, or the way something begins: · Tomorrow marks the start of the presidential election campaign.· It was not a good start to the day.· The runners lined up for the start of the race.commencement formal the beginning of something – used especially in official contexts: · the commencement of the academic year· the commencement of the contractorigin the point from which something starts to exist: · He wrote a book about the origins of the universe.· The tradition has its origins in medieval times.the onset of something the time when something bad begins, such as illness, old age, or cold weather: · the onset of winter· An active lifestyle can delay the onset of many diseases common to aging.dawn literary the beginning of an important period of time in history: · People have worshipped gods since the dawn of civilization.birth the beginning of something important that will change many people’s lives: · the birth of democracy in South Africa· the birth of the environmental movement