Definition of whence
(Entry 1 of 2)
: from what place, source, or cause
then whence comes this paradox — Changing Times
from whence
: from what place, source, or cause
no one could tell me from whence the gold had come— Graham Greene
whence
conjunctionDefinition of whence (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: from what place, source, or cause
inquired whence the water came— Maria Edgeworth
2a
: from or out of which place, source, or cause
the lawless society whence the ballads sprang— DeLancey Ferguson
b
: by reason of which fact
nothing broke—whence I infer that my bones are not yet chalky— O. W. Holmes †1935
Test Your Vocabulary
Name That Color
-
- Name that color:

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share whence
Time Traveler for whence
The first known use of whence was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century