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

Yet along with the otherworldly drive dynamics, the car has a production provenance that’s equally compelling. —Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 16 Sep. 2025

The FoundStock standard aims to provide full provenance throughout the supply chain of excess materials. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 16 Sep. 2025

These scenarios demand tooling that can track model lineage and data provenance alongside system metrics. —Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

The provenance indicator for the very fancy Corvette was from the Doc Johnson collection. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 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