derive

verb

de·​rive di-ˈrīv How to pronounce derive (audio)
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
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 Fact is, the film’s sharp social observations derive from the way the media have mangled our political perception. Armond White, National Review, 22 Mar. 2024 One version is the holiday derives from a shift in France's calendar. Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 One Way Back is a title derived from surfing—a sport that begins in freedom and ends in a foreclosure of options. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2024 People often assume that durable skills are derived from experience in places like secondary education or a previous job. Bijal Shah, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 Despite the controversies, Chick-fil-A in 2023 was ranked as the nation’s favorite fast-food chain in the annual American Consumer Satisfaction Index, a rating derived from 11 benchmarks. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 The coating is made in part with alginate which is derived from seaweed but don’t fear, there won’t be any oceanic flavor in your cup. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 Researchers first derived iPSCs from mouse cells, and they have since been derived for humans, cows, pigs, goats, rhinoceroses and other animals. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 While the games only focus on the Master Chief side of this duality, our TV series derives story from the conflict between Chief and John. Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'derive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of derive was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near derive

Cite this Entry

“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

derive

verb
de·​rive di-ˈrīv How to pronounce derive (audio)
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 How to pronounce derive (audio)
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on derive

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