be·gin / biˈgin/ • v. (-gin·ning ; past -gan / -ˈgan/ ; past part. -gun / -ˈgən/ ) 1. [tr.] start; perform or undergo the first part of (an action or activity): the Communists have just begun to fight (begin to do/doing something) it was beginning to snow [intr.] she began by rewriting the syllabus. ∎  [intr.] come into being or have its starting point at a certain time or place: the ground campaign had begun. ∎  [intr.] (of a person) hold a specific position or role before holding any other: he began as a drummer. ∎  [intr.] (of a thing) originate: Watts Lake began as a marine inlet. ∎  [intr.] (begin with) have as a first element: words beginning with a vowel. ∎  [intr.] (begin on/upon) set to work at: Picasso began on a great canvas. ∎  [with direct speech] start speaking by saying: “I've got to go to the hotel,” she began. ∎  [intr.] (begin at) (of an article) cost at least (a specified amount): rooms begin at $139. 2. [intr.] inf. not have any chance or likelihood of doing a specified thing: circuitry that Karen could not begin to comprehend.PHRASES: to begin with at first. ∎  in the first place: such a fate is unlikely to befall him: to begin with, his is a genuine talent.

begin pt. began, pp. begun. OE. beġinnan = OS., OHG. biginnan (Du., G. beginnen), WGmc. f. BE- + *ginnan, of unkn. orig.