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

Binding it all together is the chain-of-custody record that includes every handoff between teams, vendors and systems, with verification signatures that make each component's provenance independently confirmable. — Akash Pugalia, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The provenance notes that it was then sold by Gimpel and Weitzenhoffer Gallery in New York to the Weis family in 1984. — News Desk, Artforum, 17 July 2026

Method dressing with clothing establishes the reference but jewels push the narrative over the edge, adding material and provenance. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 16 July 2026

The provenance does not state the year in which Gimpel and Weitzenhoffer received the painting in their inventory or the consignment to sell it. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 16 July 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