originate

verb

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orig·i·nate | \ ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt

originated; originating

Definition of originate

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

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

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

Synonyms & Antonyms for originate

Synonyms

Antonyms

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 But the attacks on private and foreign business originate much higher in the government than in these line bureaucracies. — Anne Stevenson-yang, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021 Most of the marsquakes originate in the crust, and only a fraction of seismic waves probe deeper regions. — Lawrence Krauss, WSJ, 28 July 2021 As others have pointed out, iPhone color rumors typically originate from supply chain sources within China. — Yoni Heisler, BGR, 20 July 2021 Lawmakers planned to formally introduce the proposal on Monday in the House, where articles of impeachment must originate. — Darlene Superville, Chron, 10 Jan. 2021 Lawmakers planned to formally introduce the proposal on Monday in the House, where articles of impeachment must originate. — Darlene Superville, Time, 10 Jan. 2021 Lawmakers planned to formally introduce the proposal on Monday in the House, where articles of impeachment must originate. — Anchorage Daily News, 10 Jan. 2021 The international liaison unit requested the assistance of Mexican authorities, who responded south of the border in the area where the shots were suspected to originate, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. — Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 15 Aug. 2021 Chowdhury said the same thing happened in the 1955 Royal Free Hospital outbreak of encephalomyelitis – an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord that is believed to originate from a viral infection. — Lucia Osborne-crowley, refinery29.com, 15 Aug. 2021

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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Last Updated

14 Sep 2021

Cite this Entry

“Originate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/originate. Accessed 17 Sep. 2021.

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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