provenance

noun

prov·​e·​nance ˈpräv-nən(t)s 

ˈprä-və-ˌnän(t)s

1

: origin, source

2

: the history of ownership of a valued object or work of art or literature

Examples of provenance in a Sentence

Has anyone traced the provenances of these paintings?

The artifact is of unknown provenance.

Recent Examples on the Web

It is expected to fetch between £80,000 and £100,000 (about $105,000 and $132,000 at the current exchange rate), thanks to that royal provenance and, of course, the Bentley pedigree. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2025

Whoever controls the electromagnetic spectrum, secures the provenance of data, and fields resilient sensing systems will shape not only military outcomes but the political economy of the coming decades. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2025

Auslander posited that the bags are a Veblen good, and prices are skyrocketing — particularly those of special provenance. —James Manso, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025

Their own worth, their own purpose, their own provenance. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 29 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from provenir to come forth, originate, from Latin provenire, from pro- forth + venire to come — more at pro-, come

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1