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

Iconic Auctioneers did not offer an estimate for how much the car may sell for, though on Bring A Trailer, Series I Jaguar XKEs have been selling for around $200,000 lately, with a wide variance depending on provenance and condition. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2025

Authenticity rails like watermarking that survives edits, cryptographic provenance, and clear platform-level disclosures. —Victor Riparbelli, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025

As a nod to this provenance, the National Park Service’s iconic flat ranger hats are wrapped in a leather band with gold sequoia cones. —Gloria Liu, Outside Online, 22 Oct. 2025

Spivack recommends the use of authentication software such as Content Credentials, developed by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity, which appends metadata about provenance to images and videos. —Nikita Ostrovsky, Time, 20 Oct. 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