originate

verb orig·i·nate \ ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt \

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: originate in a Sentence

Definition of originate

originated; originating

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.

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origination

play \ə-ˌri-jə-ˈnā-shən\ noun

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originator

play \ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər\ noun

See originate defined for English-language learners

See originate defined for kids

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 of originate from the Web

Thinking the fire originated on the second floor, the commander ordered a ladder truck crew to cut a hole in the roof to let out the smoke, while Dickman and Machcinski climbed a ladder and got in through a second-story window.

— mike hendricks, kansascity, "In a tragic loop, firefighters continue to die from preventable mistakes," 13 July 2018
Even in rural towns and villages where reeds grow and shepherd’s music originated, the instrument is not well known.

— taylor luck, The Christian Science Monitor, "In rediscovered reed flute, a soulful link to Jordanian identity," 13 July 2018
The neutrino originated in a blazar galaxy nearly four billion light-years away, in the constellation Orion.

— doyle rice, USA TODAY, "'Ghost particles' from outer space: Scientists discover distant source of neutrinos," 12 July 2018
The diptych originated with a phone call from Sendak that began with a quiz.

— michael cooper, New York Times, "Oliver Knussen, ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ Composer, Dies at 66," 9 July 2018
Many hurricanes that affect the U.S. mainland originate from Western Africa as tropical waves.

— joel langstein, Fox News, "How African dust is subduing US hurricanes," 9 July 2018
Celebrating its 20th year, the restaurant originated in a 40-seat space at the corner of 79th and Central Ave.

— patrick z. mcgavin, Daily Southtown, "Guide to outdoor dining in Chicago suburbs: Chuck's Southern Comforts Cafe in Burbank," 9 July 2018
All content originated from the station's cozy, homey studios in East Providence, two left turns into an otherwise quiet suburban neighborhood.

— Billboard, "Eerie Waves: Memories of an Abandoned Radio Home, From Dido to Whitesnake's David Coverdale (& the Incredible Hulk)," 6 July 2018
Technical note: Soul Cakes originated as part of the All Souls' Day holiday on November 2nd (Yep, a third holiday!), but eventually became a part of Halloween night as the concept evolved into trick-or-treating.

— marissa gold, Country Living, "Everything You Need to Know About the History of Halloween and Why We Celebrate It," 6 July 2018

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.

First Known Use of originate

1668

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

originate Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

ORIGINATE Defined for English Language Learners

originate

verb

Definition of originate for English Language Learners

: to begin to exist : to be produced or created
: to cause (something) to exist : to produce or create (something)

ORIGINATE Defined for Kids

originate

verb orig·i·nate \ ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt \

Definition of originate for Students

originated; originating

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.

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originator

\-ˌnā-tər\ noun

Law Dictionary

originate

verb orig·i·nate \ ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt \

legal Definition of originate

originated; originating

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

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