originator
noun
orig·i·na·tor
ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər 
plural originators
: someone or something that originates or gives rise to something
the originator of the idea/theory
a technique named after its originator
Persia was the originator of melons, cucumbers, and pears.—
Carol Bly
Carol BlyExamples of originator in a Sentence
Thomas Edison was the originator of the light bulb
Copernicus is sometimes hailed as the originator of modern astronomy, for he overturned the notion of an earth-centered universe
Recent Examples on the Web
As for a spider woman who could out-Chita-Rivera the part’s originator, Chita Rivera?
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
This once-passing fad, never projected by the originators or detractors to make it this far, had smashed every measurable and monetizable metric over the last half century.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Boyle is a great example of what Carthy was talking about, the originator of an oral history and a certain type of folk song, passed by word of mouth around a fanbase and through generations.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Prior to Leucippus, earlier scientist-philosophers had devised the concepts of elements as components of reality, and often looked to one component in particular as being the fundamental originator — or arche (ἀρχή) — of all the others.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originator
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2025
This once-passing fad, never projected by the originators or detractors to make it this far, had smashed every measurable and monetizable metric over the last half century.
—Rodney Carmichael, NPR, 1 Oct. 2025
Boyle is a great example of what Carthy was talking about, the originator of an oral history and a certain type of folk song, passed by word of mouth around a fanbase and through generations.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Prior to Leucippus, earlier scientist-philosophers had devised the concepts of elements as components of reality, and often looked to one component in particular as being the fundamental originator — or arche (ἀρχή) — of all the others.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originator
Cite this Entry
“Originator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/originator. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share