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

Traces of reasoning, logs and provenance are needed. —Venkatadri Marella, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

The salespeople sold it to women saying that the hat was something very fancy, something that would give them status for its European provenance. —Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 20 June 2025

Museum officials hope that prolonged viewing will help move scholars closer to a consensus about the details of this expensive painting’s provenance and creator. —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025

But despite its shadowy provenance and evil-sounding name, Xanthorox isn’t so mysterious. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 7 May 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