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

Synonyms

• inventor
• designer
• creator
• founder

Examples 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

But even with the impossible challenge of making the role something both true to its beloved originator and unique in its own right, Jinkx Monsoon has taken the stage in what feels like a role written just for her. —Evan Ross Katz, Them., 4 Sep. 2025

Tom is one of the most exciting originators in the industry. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025

Figure offers a marketplace for home equity loan originators to sell those loans on the blockchain. —Julie Goldenberg, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Through the partnership, Burr and his producing partner, North Hill co-founder Mike Bertolina, will serve as executive producers and content originators for scripted and unscripted television. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for originator

• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator