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

While the cause and provenance can be frustratingly complex, there is no interpretive labor required to arrive at either diagnosis or prognosis. —Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026

When assessing which military is responsible for a particular strike – in any conflict – CNN typically obtains images of the remnants of the weapons used in the attack and provides these to munitions experts so that their provenance can be assessed. —Gianluca Mezzofiore, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026

That is why Microsoft's research stresses combining provenance tracking with watermarking and cryptographic signatures. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Scattered across Garcia storefronts in the Netherlands since the end of February, 800 pairs of jeans have a provenance worth pointing out. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Mar. 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