derivation

noun

der·​i·​va·​tion ˌder-ə-ˈvā-shən 

ˌde-rə-

1

linguistics

a(1)

: the formation of a word from another word or base (as by the addition of a usually noninflectional affix)

"Strategize" was formed by derivation from "strategy."

(2)

: an act of ascertaining or stating the derivation of a word

(3)

: etymology sense 1

research into the derivation of "Yankee"

b

: the relation of a word to its base or root (see root entry 1 sense 6)

2

a

: source, origin

foods of French derivation

b

: descent, origination

derivation from royal ancestors

3

: something that originates from something else : something derived : derivative

more like an exact copy than a derivation

4

: an act or process of deriving

debating the possible derivation of birds from dinosaurs

5

logic : a sequence of statements showing that a result is a necessary consequence of previously accepted statements

derivational

ˌder-ə-ˈvā-sh(ə-)nəl 

ˌde-rə-

adjective

… subjects' ability to auditorily recognize the correct form of derivational relationships where consonant and vowel alternation occurs.

—Robert A. Barganz

derivationally adverb

derivationally related words

Synonyms of derivation

• derivative
• derivate

Examples of derivation in a Sentence

He is doing research into the derivation of “Yankee.”

“Childish” was formed by derivation from “child.”

Scientists are debating the possible derivation of birds from dinosaurs.

Recent Examples on the Web

Silicon Valley dreamt up poor derivations of past cautionary tales and created a monoculture of exploitative social media feeds and predatory data-hungry apps that birthed Orwell’s surveillance state. —John Lopez, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025

Bose found a stronger mathematical derivation of Planck’s law. —Matt Von Hippel, Quanta Magazine, 23 June 2025

Labels want systems that can not only detect direct sample reuse but also flag stylistic derivations within generative model outputs. —Virginie Berger, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

And since the derivation of it was ‘100 men versus a gorilla’ ... —Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

see derive

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Rhymes for derivation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

derivation

noun

der·​i·​va·​tion ˌder-ə-ˈvā-shən 

1

a

: the formation (as by the addition of a prefix or suffix) of a word from another word or root

b

: an act of finding out or stating how a word was formed

c

: etymology

2

a

: a point of origin : source

b

: development from a source : descent

c

: an act or process of deriving

derivational

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective