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 of originator

• 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

About 146 years after that White House dinner, the originators behind McDonald’s began the relentless mission of making sure French fries, and the overall McDonald’s brand, were forever entangled with America. —Amanda Hancock, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

This is the originator that’s still innovating. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026

Randy Wright was an eighth-grade civics teacher and is the originator of the Liberty Dollar Bill Act. —Randy Wright, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2026

The success of Ghosts drove a strong year for British formats, which closed the gap on Korea as K7’s top format originator. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026

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