concept

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkɒnsɛpt/

noun

  • an abstract idea: structuralism is a difficult concept the concept of justice
  • a plan or intention: the centre has kept firmly to its original concept
  • an idea or invention to help sell or publicize a commodity: a new concept in corporate hospitality
  • [as modifier] (of a car or other vehicle) produced as an experimental model to test the viability of innovative design features: a concept car for next month’s Geneva motor show
  • Philosophy an idea or mental image which corresponds to some distinct entity or class of entities, or to its essential features, or determines the application of a term (especially a predicate), and thus plays a part in the use of reason or language.

Origin:

mid 16th century (in the sense 'thought, imagination'): from Latin conceptum 'something conceived', from Latin concept- 'conceived', from concipere (see conceive)