derive

verb

de·​rive di-ˈrīv How to pronounce derive (audio)
dē-
derived; deriving

transitive verb

1
a
: to take, receive, or obtain especially from a specified source
is said to derive its name from a Native American word meaning "wild onion"
b
chemistry : to obtain (a chemical substance) actually or theoretically from a parent substance
Petroleum is derived from coal tar.
2
: infer, deduce
what was derived from their observations
3
archaic : bring
… inconvenience that will be derived to them from stopping all imports …Thomas Jefferson
4
: to trace the derivation of
We can derive the word "chauffeur" from French.

intransitive verb

: to have or take origin : come as a derivative
The novel's appeal derives entirely from the complexity of its characters.
deriver noun
Choose the Right Synonym for derive

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence.

spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

Examples of derive in a Sentence

The river derives its name from a Native American tribe. Much of the book's appeal derives from the personality of its central character.
Recent Examples on the Web While the games only focus on the Master Chief side of this duality, our TV series derives story from the conflict between Chief and John. Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 It is derived from the more familiar bon mot: a topologist is someone who doesn’t know the difference between a coffee cup and a doughnut. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 Courtesy Choi Breaking’s name is derived from dancers hitting the floor during the instrumental interludes on a record—the break—at parties in the Bronx in the 1970s. Sean Gregory, TIME, 5 Mar. 2024 The new image was created using a genetic profile derived from DNA taken from the woman’s tooth, deputies said. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 4 Mar. 2024 His answer was in the know-how of sailors and fishermen, in Caribbean performances derived from African masquerades and Hindu epics—in other words, intangible cultural heritage. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2024 Retinoids, a group of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A, commonly cause issues for tweens and young teens who don’t need them, dermatologists said. Katie Mogg, NBC News, 29 Feb. 2024 Keeping track of the storylines derived from Frank Herbert’s eco-visionary 1965 sci-fi tome is a full-time job. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Feb. 2024 Where density sample data was insufficient for interpolation, density values were derived from a regression equation based on the iron value of the block. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'derive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French deriver, from Latin derivare, literally, to draw off (water), from de- + rivus stream — more at run

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of derive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near derive

Cite this Entry

“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derive. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

derive

verb
de·​rive di-ˈrīv How to pronounce derive (audio)
derived; deriving
1
: to receive or obtain from a source
2
: to arrive at by reasoning and observation : infer, deduce
3
: to trace the origin, descent, or derivation of
4
: to come from a certain source or basis
the tradition derives from ancient practices
derivable
-ˈrī-və-bəl
adjective

Medical Definition

derive

verb
de·​rive di-ˈrīv How to pronounce derive (audio)
derived; deriving

transitive verb

: to take, receive, or obtain, especially from a specified source
specifically : to obtain (a chemical substance) actually or theoretically from a parent substance

intransitive verb

: to have or take origin
derivation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on derive

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