# beginning

/bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/ (US) · /bɪɡˈɪnɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/beginning
Updated: 2026-05-01

## Senses

### 1. the first part

noun · CEFR A1

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

For teachers: the initial portion of a temporal sequence or a physical object.

- The beginning of the movie was much more exciting than the ending.
- At the beginning of the fiscal year, the department outlines its primary objectives and allocates resources accordingly.

### 2. origin or source

noun · CEFR B2

the place or time where something first started.

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

- Scientists are still studying the beginning of the universe.
- Historians often debate the true beginning of the conflict, looking for the specific political shifts that triggered the initial violence.

### 3. starting level

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal

describing the first or simplest level of something.

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

- This is a beginning course for people who have never used a computer.
- The curriculum is designed for beginning students, focusing on foundational concepts before moving toward more complex theoretical frameworks.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.