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
On its current trajectory, the surest promise that generative AI offers is not creating new originators, but massively scaling up the production of derivative art.
—Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 17 June 2025
The originators of the China shock theory examined how Chinese imports affected certain U.S. locales compared with others, not with the entire country, based on initial industry composition and employment size.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
With this influence came the music of the future, which helped rebuild a city from the (damage of the) Detroit riots into a metropolis that draws people from all over the world to hear the music from the originators, every year, at the Movement Festival.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
Their worldwide reputation is linked to violence, although its originators renounced brutal attacks in the 1970s and earned popular support by providing social services such as pharmacies, hospitals and schools, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for originator
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Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 17 June 2025
The originators of the China shock theory examined how Chinese imports affected certain U.S. locales compared with others, not with the entire country, based on initial industry composition and employment size.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 5 June 2025
With this influence came the music of the future, which helped rebuild a city from the (damage of the) Detroit riots into a metropolis that draws people from all over the world to hear the music from the originators, every year, at the Movement Festival.
—Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2025
Their worldwide reputation is linked to violence, although its originators renounced brutal attacks in the 1970s and earned popular support by providing social services such as pharmacies, hospitals and schools, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 4 June 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 3 Jul. 2025.
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