begins

1. take the first step or steps in carrying out an actionExamples: "We began working at dawn"; "Who will start?"; "Get working as soon as the sun rises!"Synonyms: begin, commence, get, get down, set about, set out, start, start outAntonyms: end

2. have a beginning, in a temporal, spatial, or evaluative senseExamples: "The DMZ begins right over the hill"; "The second movement begins after the Allegro"; "Prices for these homes start at $250,000"Synonyms: begin, startAntonyms: end

3. set in motion, cause to startExamples: "The U.S. started a war in the Middle East"; "The Iraqis began hostilities"; "begin a new chapter in your life"Synonyms: begin, commence, lead off, startAntonyms: end

4. begin to speak or say; he beganExamples: "Now listen, friends,"Synonyms: begin

5. be the first item or point, constitute the beginning or start, come first in a seriesExamples: "The number `one' begins the sequence"; "A terrible murder begins the novel"; "The convocation ceremony officially begins the semester"Synonyms: begin

6. have a beginning, of a temporal eventExamples: "WW II began in 1939 when Hitler marched into Poland"; "The company's Asia tour begins next month"Synonyms: begin