derive

verb

de·​rive di-ˈrīv 

dē-

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.

deriver noun

Synonyms

• conclude
• decide
• deduce
• extrapolate
• gather
• infer
• judge
• make out
• reason
• understand

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

In 2022, the new Labor government committed to net-zero targets and immediately began the work of driving carbon emissions down in a country which derives a significant portion of its wealth from extracting fossil fuels. —Hilary Whiteman and Angus Watson, CNN Money, 3 May 2025

Eli Lilly began mass-producing insulin derived from cows and pigs. —Discover Magazine, 3 May 2025

The comic edge of Bochner’s work partly derives from this downward pull of bodily functions and mortal flesh. —Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025

Additionally, take into account the speed by which organizations are able to derive real value from the tool. —Bankim Chandra, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for derive

• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• revive
• survive
• dive
• drive
• five

Kids Definition

derive

verb

de·​rive di-ˈrīv 

derived; deriving

1

: to receive or obtain from a source

2

: to arrive at by reasoning and observation : infer, deduce

3

: to trace the origin, descent, or derivation of

4

: to come from a certain source or basis

the tradition derives from ancient practices

derivable

-ˈrī-və-bəl

adjective

Medical Definition

derive

verb

de·​rive di-ˈrīv 

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

derivation

ˌder-ə-ˈvā-shən 

noun