1be·gin·ning 
/bɪˈgɪnɪŋ/ noun
plural be·gin·nings /bɪˈgɪnɪŋ/ noun 1 [count] : the point or time at which something begins : a starting point — usually singular ▪ He has been working there since the beginning of the year. ▪ A poem was recited at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. ▪ It was clear from the (very) beginning that she would eventually succeed. ▪ The company was very small in the beginning [=when it began], but it eventually became a giant corporation. ▪ The argument marked the beginning of the end of their marriage. [=the argument was the start of a series of events that led to the end of their marriage] 2 [count] : the first part of something
▪ Go back to the beginning of the song. ▪ We were late, so we missed the beginning of the movie. ▪ The changes that have been made so far are just/only the beginning. There are many more changes still to come. 3 beginnings [plural] a : an early stage or period
▪ I have the beginnings of a sore throat. [=my throat is starting to feel sore]
b : the origins or background of a person or thing
▪ He came from humble beginnings. ▪ the company's modest beginnings in an old warehouse ▪ The organization had its beginnings [=began] in a small Midwestern town.
▪ Go back to the beginning of the song. ▪ We were late, so we missed the beginning of the movie. ▪ The changes that have been made so far are just/only the beginning. There are many more changes still to come.
▪ I have the beginnings of a sore throat. [=my throat is starting to feel sore]
b : the origins or background of a person or thing
▪ He came from humble beginnings. ▪ the company's modest beginnings in an old warehouse ▪ The organization had its beginnings [=began] in a small Midwestern town.
