originate

1 of 2

verb

orig·​i·​nate ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt 

originated; originating

intransitive verb

: to take or have origin : begin

That board game originated in the 1940s.

transitive verb

: to give rise to : initiate

The composer originated 10 songs for the Broadway musical.

origination

ə-ˌri-jə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

origination

2 of 2

noun

orig·​i·​na·​tion əˌrijəˈnāshən 

plural -s

1

obsolete : derivation, etymology

2

: a coming into existence : beginning, rise

a custom that has its origination far back in time

3

: origin sense 3

4

: a bringing into existence : creation, invention, making, production

a representative legislature with annual meetings and the origination of laws

—C. G. Bowers

Synonyms of originate

Verb

• begin
• arise
• start
• appear
• commence
• be

Choose the Right Synonym for originate

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 originate in a Sentence

Verb

These stories originated during earlier times.

The book originated as a series of lectures.

The sound seemed to originate from outside the room.

The custom is believed to have originated in the western U.S.

He did not originate the idea.

The policy was originated by the previous administration.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While clouds can block your view of an aurora, the phenomenon itself originates hundreds of miles above normal weather systems. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026

Authorities have said the fire was accidental and originated at the base of a silo. —ABC News, 15 June 2026

The idea for the partnership originated at Invest Fest Atlanta, a convention that connects startups and organizations looking to collaborate on initiatives that benefit the city. —Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 15 June 2026

The river itself originates more than 100 miles from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. —Allen Best, Denver Post, 14 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin origination-, originatio, from origin-, origo origin + -ation-, -atio -ation

First Known Use

Verb

1668, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing originate

• originate with

Rhymes for originate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

Kids Definition

originate

verb

orig·​i·​nate ə-ˈrij-ə-ˌnāt 

originated; originating

1

: to bring into existence : cause to be : initiate, invent

2

: to come into existence : arise

origination

-ˌrij-ə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

originator

-ˈrij-ə-ˌnāt-ər 

noun

Legal Definition

originate

verb

orig·​i·​nate ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt 

originated; originating

transitive verb

: to give rise to

specifically : to issue (a mortgage loan) usually for subsequent sale in a pool of mortgage loans to a secondary market compare service

intransitive verb

: to take or have origin

origination

ə-ˌri-jə-ˈnā-shən 

noun

originator

ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər 

noun