derive

verb de·rive \ di-ˈrīv , dē- \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

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Examples: derive in a Sentence

Definition of derive

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.

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deriver

noun

See derive defined for English-language learners

See derive defined for kids

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 of derive from the Web

Prominent military analysts like Michael O’Hanlon of the Brookings Institution have voiced similar concerns, arguing that the force would likely be derived largely from the Air Force, creating two weaker organizations.

— tom vanden brook, USA TODAY, "Jim Mattis once wanted to rocket Marines into space, foreshadowing Trump's Space Force," 11 July 2018
No doubt that exuberance derives from Ovechkin, the gray-haired howitzer whose new playoff tradition involves a full-speed solo lap around the rink at the start of every road practice while teammates watch and cheer.

— alex prewitt, SI.com, "Confident and at Ease, These Capitals Aren't Worried About Past Playoff Disappointments," 15 May 2018
The fundamental challenge is finding a way to ensure that Iran still derives enough economic benefits from the agreement to override its interest in pursuing a nuclear weapon.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Europe Wants to Save the Iran Deal – But That Might Be Impossible," 10 May 2018
The reasons for that pessimistic outlook is that future retirees will derive less of their overall income from traditional pensions, which are becoming less common, and from Social Security.

— russ wiles, azcentral, "The new normal: Carrying debt at age 75 and up," 6 May 2018
The company reiterated that a large portion of compensation for executives is derived from their ability to generate value.

— r.t. watson, Bloomberg.com, "Why Vale Keeps Executive Pay Secret," 27 Mar. 2018
The police chief identified Sweatt as the prime suspect, although no charges have been filed, and none may ever be given the age of the case and the hurdles of proving that the clues were not derived from the plea talks in 2005.

— peter hermann, Washington Post, "‘As with most sociopaths, he likes to brag.’ An investigator recalls D.C.’s deadly serial arsonist.," 9 Mar. 2018
In the arrogance of power, officials forget that their legitimacy derives from the public's confidence.

— Anchorage Daily News, "The National Guard scandal has ended in silence, casting doubt on all involved," 8 Mar. 2018
Still, the benefits that Goldman derived from the foreign earnings exclusions, while big, aren’t nearly as gigantic as the savings harvested by Apple and other tech giants.

— shawn tully, Fortune, "How Tax Reform Makes Goldman Sachs a Winner—and a Loser," 30 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'derive.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of derive

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

derive Synonyms

Synonyms

conclude, decide, deduce, extrapolate, gather, infer, judge, make out, reason, understand;

Related Words

assume, suppose;

conjecture, guess, speculate, surmise;

construe, interpret, read;

contemplate, philosophize, rationalize, think;

ascertain, dope (out), find out;

Phrases

draw a conclusion;

Synonym Discussion of 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

DERIVE Defined for English Language Learners

derive

verb

Definition of derive for English Language Learners

: to take or get (something) from (something else)
: to have something as a source : to come from something

DERIVE Defined for Kids

derive

verb de·rive \ di-ˈrīv \

Definition of derive for Students

derived; deriving

1 : to take or get from a source

I derive great pleasure from reading.

2 : to come from a certain source

Some modern holidays derive from ancient traditions.

3 : to trace the origin or source of

We derive the word “cherry” from a French word.

Medical Dictionary

derive

verb de·rive \ di-ˈrīv \

medical Definition of derive

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

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