A2
the first part of something or the start of something
Dictionary examples:
At the beginning of my speech, I forgot my own name. (0.0)
The beginning of my dance lesson: I stepped on my teacher's foot. (0.0)
At the beginning of the race, I ran in the wrong direction. (0.0)
We met at the beginning of 1998. (12.2)
She sat down and read the book straight through from beginning to end. (20.9)
I enjoyed my job at/in the beginning, but I'm bored with it now. (27.4)