1 [with object] perform or undergo the first part of (an action or activity):Peter had just begun a life sentence for murder [with infinitive or present participle]:it was beginning to snow [no object]:she began by rewriting the syllabus
[no object] come into being or have its starting point at a certain time or place:a new era had begunthe cycleway begins at Livingston village
[no object] (of a person) hold a specified role before holding any other:he began as a drummer
[no object] (begin with) have as a first element:words beginning with a vowel
[no object] (begin on/upon) set to work at:Picasso began on a great canvas
[with direct speech] start speaking by saying:‘Mr Smith,’ he began
[no object] (begin at) (of an article) cost at least (a specified amount):rooms begin at £139
2 [no object, with infinitive, with negative] informal not have any chance or likelihood of doing a specified thing:I can’t begin to tell you how much I hate that commercial
to begin with
at first.
used to introduce the first of several points:such a fate is unlikely to befall him: to begin with, his is a genuine talent
