originator

noun

orig·​i·​na·​tor ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər 

plural originators

: someone or something that originates or gives rise to something

the originator of the idea/theory

a technique named after its originator

Persia was the originator of melons, cucumbers, and pears.

—Carol Bly

Synonyms of originator

• inventor
• designer
• creator
• founder

Examples of originator in a Sentence

Thomas Edison was the originator of the light bulb

Copernicus is sometimes hailed as the originator of modern astronomy, for he overturned the notion of an earth-centered universe

Recent Examples on the Web

But the trick outlived its originator. — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 23 June 2026

Japan was perhaps the earliest originator of this trend, with cats overtaking dogs a decade ago. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 10 May 2026

There can be little doubt that the Authentic is the most famous shoe of its style today, but that isn’t the same as being the originator. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 26 June 2026

The film, which was made in association with original studio Miramax, is the sixth installment in the franchise but the first in more than two decades to feature the series’ originators, the Wayans brothers. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for originator

• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator