to start happening or existing
The concert will begin in ten minutes, so please take your seats.
A light rain began to fall as we left the house.
✦ From Old English “beginnan,” meaning “to start or open,” related to Old High German “beginnen.”
to cause something to start
She began her speech with a funny story.
They began construction on the bridge last spring.
✦ From Old English “beginnan,” which combined be- (intensive prefix) and “ginnan” (to open), later generalized to starting any action.
