provenance

noun

prov·​e·​nance ˈpräv-nən(t)s 

ˈprä-və-ˌnän(t)s

1

: origin, source

2

: the history of ownership of a valued object or work of art or literature

Examples of provenance in a Sentence

Has anyone traced the provenances of these paintings?

The artifact is of unknown provenance.

Recent Examples on the Web

Gaps in its provenance, especially around World War II, resulted in the im Kinsky auction house working to arrange a settlement between the consignor, a private Austrian citizen, and the heirs of the Lieser family for a share of the sale. —Karen K. Ho For Artnews, Robb Report, 2 May 2025

This tool enables creators to control how their work is used in generative AI models and provides greater transparency regarding the provenance of digital assets. —Melody Brue, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

But Christopher Lamb, who is CNN’s Vatican Correspondent, told Variety late last week that the race is still very open and underlined the fact that the provenance of papal contenders has changed. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 28 Apr. 2025

Near the end of the sixth episode, Bix and Cassian embark on an operation whose provenance is principally left up to the viewer to infer. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from provenir to come forth, originate, from Latin provenire, from pro- forth + venire to come — more at pro-, come

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1