origin

noun

or·​i·​gin ˈȯr-ə-jən 

ˈär-

1

: ancestry, parentage

was of humble origin

She is of French origin.

2

a

: rise, beginning, or derivation from a source

the origin of life on Earth

The word "algebra" is of Arabic origin.

b

: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives

the origin of the custom

also : something that creates, causes, or gives rise to another

a spring is the origin of the brook

3

: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle

4

: the intersection of coordinate axes

Synonyms

• cradle
• font
• fountain
• fountainhead
• root
• seedbed
• source
• spring
• well
• wellspring

Choose the Right Synonym for origin

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence.

origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile

the source of recurrent trouble

inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

Examples of origin in a Sentence

Her ethnic origins are French.

the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate

Recent Examples on the Web

Columbus was a stand-in for the nation’s hagiographic origin story, much like the Mayflower or its Western pioneers. —Philip Elliott, Time, 28 Apr. 2025

Typically, the first film in a Marvel franchise establishes the protagonist’s origins, and the sequels present that character with challenges from increasingly formidable opponents. —Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025

There’s at least one major shoe that could drop — why devote an entire episode to the Gemstone origin story if that gold Bible isn’t going to pay off somehow? — but The Righteous Gemstones loves these grotesque, dysfunctional louts. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 28 Apr. 2025

Arguably the best film of its 1999-2005 trilogy, the darkly emotional origins story grossed $17M overseas for a strong $42.2M global. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 27 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English origine, from Latin origin-, origo, from oriri to rise — more at orient entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing origin

• country of origin
• have one's origin
• in origin
• of humble origin(s)
• of recent origin
• of unknown origin
• place of origin
• point of origin

Rhymes for origin

• orogen

Kids Definition

origin

noun

or·​i·​gin ˈȯr-ə-jən 

ˈär-

1

: ancestry sense 1, parentage

2

a

: a rising, beginning, or coming from a source

b

: basic source or cause

3

: the intersection of the x-axis and y-axis on a graph

Etymology

Middle English origine "ancestry," from Latin origin-, origo, from oriri "to rise" — related to aborigine, orient see Word History at orient

Medical Definition

origin

noun

or·​i·​gin ˈȯr-ə-jən, ˈär- 

1

: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives

2

: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle compare insertion sense 1