origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.
an investigation into the origin of baseball
source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.
the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble
inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.
the business has been a success since its inception
root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.
the real root of the violence
Example Sentences
The project has been shrouded in controversy from its inception. Since its inception, the business has expanded to become a national retail chain. We'll assist you at every stage from inception to completion.
Recent Examples on the WebReleased last September, the song is also the only one to have appeared on every Hot Trending Songs chart dating to the survey’s inception (47 weeks and counting). Xander Zellner, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2022 After the premiere, the director talked about the inception of Fabelmans, with writer-producer Tony Kushner playing the role of therapist. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2022 The Reinvent the Toilet Challenge has remained on a steady course since its inception in 2011, including hosting Reinvented Toilet Expo events over the years. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 7 Sep. 2022 Twenty years later, and about 30 since the movement’s inception, trying to define it still feels fraught. Annie Fell, SPIN, 1 Sep. 2022 The luxury passenger ship, touted as unsinkable, was famous from its inception, known as the largest and one of the most lavish of its kind at the time. Jen Juneau, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022 The revised band will be include Joe Saylor, who has performed alongside Louis since the show’s inception, and longtime house band members Louis Fouché, Jon Lampley, Endea Owens and Nêgah Santos. Michael Schneider, Variety, 11 Aug. 2022 Our Price-to-Sales screening model has an annual price gain since inception (1998) of 12.9%, versus 5.7% for the S&P 500 index over the same period. Charles Rotblut, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 After a long, quiet inception, the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa, a women’s semi-professional basketball league in New Zealand, was established in December. Wilson Moore, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English incepcion, from Latin inception-, inceptio, from incipere to begin, from in- + capere to take