origin

noun

or·​i·​gin ˈȯr-ə-jən 

ˈär-

1

: ancestry, parentage

was of humble origin

She is of French origin.

2

a

: rise, beginning, or derivation from a source

the origin of life on Earth

The word "algebra" is of Arabic origin.

b

: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives

the origin of the custom

also : something that creates, causes, or gives rise to another

a spring is the origin of the brook

3

: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle

4

: the intersection of coordinate axes

Synonyms

• cradle
• font
• fountain
• fountainhead
• root
• seedbed
• source
• spring
• well
• wellspring

Choose the Right Synonym for origin

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence.

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

Examples of origin in a Sentence

Her ethnic origins are French.

the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate

Recent Examples on the Web

Pros: His populist, Rust Belt origins could help motivated uneducated white voters, who historically turn out in relatively low numbers, to head to voting booths for Trump. —Jeongyoon Han, NPR, 6 June 2024

Malibu Pier has its origin story in a private wharf built by a legendarily eccentric couple, Frederick and May Rindge. —Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2024

Yet these discoveries are complicated by the HeLa cell line’s non-consensual origins. —Lily Carey, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2024

Fauci's appearance on Capitol Hill comes amid a contentious election cycle, with Republicans continuing to hammer him on his response to the virus -- everything from mask mandates to vaccine guidelines and origin possibilities. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English origine, from Latin origin-, origo, from oriri to rise — more at orient entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing origin

• country of origin
• have one's origin
• in origin
• of humble origin(s)
• of recent origin
• of unknown origin
• place of origin
• point of origin

Kids Definition

origin

noun

or·​i·​gin ˈȯr-ə-jən 

ˈär-

1

: ancestry sense 1, parentage

2

a

: a rising, beginning, or coming from a source

b

: basic source or cause

3

: the intersection of the x-axis and y-axis on a graph

Etymology

Middle English origine "ancestry," from Latin origin-, origo, from oriri "to rise" — related to aborigine, orient see Word History at orient

Medical Definition

origin

noun

or·​i·​gin ˈȯr-ə-jən, ˈär- 

1

: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives

2

: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle compare insertion sense 1