What does "beginning" mean?

1. (the first part) the first part of a story, a book, or a period of time. 2. (origin or source) the place or time where something first started. 3. (starting level) describing the first or simplest level of something.

Is it correct to say "In the beginning of the movie, I was bored."?

No — say "At the beginning of the movie, I was bored.". Use 'at the beginning of' for a specific point in time. 'In the beginning' is usually used alone to mean 'at first' or 'long ago'.

beginning

US //bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ// UK //bɪɡˈɪnɪŋ// be·gin·ning

1 the first part (n.)
A1 Beginner

the first part of a story, a book, or a period of time.

the initial portion of a temporal sequence or a physical object.

Example

The beginning of the movie was much more exciting than the ending.

Example

At the beginning of the fiscal year, the department outlines its primary objectives and allocates resources accordingly.
Pitfall

In the beginning of the movie, I was bored.

At the beginning of the movie, I was bored.

Use 'at the beginning of' for a specific point in time. 'In the beginning' is usually used alone to mean 'at first' or 'long ago'.
2 origin or source (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the place or time where something first started.

the origin, source, or first cause of a phenomenon or state of being.

Example

Scientists are still studying the beginning of the universe.

Example

Historians often debate the true beginning of the conflict, looking for the specific political shifts that triggered the initial violence.
- result
- outcome

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3 starting level (adj.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

describing the first or simplest level of something.

relating to the initial stage of a process or a basic level of proficiency.

Example

This is a beginning course for people who have never used a computer.

Example

The curriculum is designed for beginning students, focusing on foundational concepts before moving toward more complex theoretical frameworks.
- advanced
- final

Etymology 1

From Middle English biginning, beginninge, beginnunge, equivalent to begin + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English begynnyng, bygynnynge, From Old English beginnende (attested only as Old English onginnende), from Proto-Germanic biginnandz, present participle of Proto-Germanic *biginnaną (“to begin”), equivalent to begin + -ing.