originate

verb

orig·i·nate | \ ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt

originated; originating

Definition of originate

transitive verb

: to give rise to : initiate The composer originated 10 songs for the Broadway musical.

intransitive verb

: to take or have origin : begin That board game originated in the 1940s.

Other Words from originate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about originate

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Other Words from originate

origination \ ə-ˌri-jə-ˈnā-shən

\ noun

originator \ ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for originate

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 originate in a Sentence

These stories originated during earlier times. The book originated as a series of lectures. The sound seemed to originate from outside the room. The custom is believed to have originated in the western U.S. He did not originate the idea. The policy was originated by the previous administration.

Recent Examples on the Web

Source: Wall Street Journal analysis of comments to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority The plan originated with a committee of market participants formed by SEC chief Jay Clayton last year to advise him on how to modernize the bond market. — Matt Wirz, WSJ, "Bond Fight Pits Main Street Against Wall Street," 27 June 2019 Facebook cites a statistic of 1.7 billion people worldwide who don’t have access to financial institutions, a statistic that originates with the World Bank’s Global Findex Database 2017. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, "Facebook’s Libra probably won’t help people without bank accounts," 27 June 2019 Space Jam has long been linked with Nike, as the idea for the original film originated with an ad for the company starring Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan, the magazine noted. — Jason Duaine Hahn, PEOPLE.com, "Here's Who's Set to Star in Space Jam 2 with LeBron James (So Far)," 20 June 2019 The investigation, which originated with a whistleblower familiar with the school's finances, found more than $300,000 in questionable spending from state funds dedicated to the education of children. — Craig Harris, azcentral, "Arizona charter school operators agree to pay back $180K spent on sports tickets, personal care," 13 June 2019 But what was most frustrating to McAuliffe was that the error originated with his own university’s press department. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "How to combat overhyped science news," 11 June 2019 The Arizona law that originated with Cobb's two bills was part of a swift, decisive and very public reaction in Arizona to the Biological Resource Center case. — Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, "Despite 2-year-old state law, Arizona's body donation industry still unregulated," 10 June 2019 BITs have become a common way to seek redress in bust-ups originating in the region, with 145 cases filed since 1989. — The Economist, "Why the European Union should not ditch bilateral investment treaties," 6 June 2019 The official failed to disclose a payment from a contractor that originated with Holtec, the court documents said. — Nancy Solomon, ProPublica, "A False Answer, a Big Political Connection and $260 Million in Tax Breaks," 23 May 2019

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

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Dictionary Entries near originate

Statistics for originate

Last Updated

6 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for originate

The first known use of originate was in 1668

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More Definitions for originate

originate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of originate

: to begin to exist : to be produced or created

: to cause (something) to exist : to produce or create (something)

See the full definition for originate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

originate

verb

orig·i·nate | \ ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt

originated; originating

Kids Definition of originate

1 : to bring into being : invent, initiate I had lots of time to cook … and I must say I originated some excellent meals.— Jean Craighead George, My Side of the Mountain

2 : to come into being The custom originated in ancient times.

originate

verb

orig·i·nate | \ ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt

originated; originating

Legal Definition of originate

transitive verb

: to give rise to specifically : to issue (a mortgage loan) usually for subsequent sale in a pool of mortgage loans to a secondary market — compare service

intransitive verb

: to take or have origin

Other Words from originate

origination \ ə-ˌri-jə-ˈnā-shən

\ noun

originator \ ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər

\ noun

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