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

Ahead of the official American launch, Bimota invited Robb Report for an exclusive test ride at Northern California’s WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to prove how much the manufacturer’s racing provenance translates to a road-legal superbike. — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2026

That question of provenance and a lot of the vocabulary—scarcity, craftsmanship, raw materials—has become interwoven with the language of luxury fashion today. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026

Like a bright orange Flos Snoopy table lamp by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and a space-age vintage armchair by Ettore Sottsass; pieces with provenance and elevated craftsmanship that imbue a space with meaning. — Genevieve Walker, Architectural Digest, 18 Sep. 2026

The collection also comes with an intriguing provenance story of its own. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

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