originate

verb

orig·​i·​nate ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt How to pronounce originate (audio)
originated; originating
Synonyms of originate

intransitive verb

: to take or have origin : begin
That board game originated in the 1940s.

transitive verb

: to give rise to : initiate
The composer originated 10 songs for the Broadway musical.
origination
ə-ˌri-jə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce originate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of originate

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spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence.

spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence

originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

Examples of originate in a Sentence

These stories originated during earlier times. The book originated as a series of lectures. The sound seemed to originate from outside the room. The custom is believed to have originated in the western U.S. He did not originate the idea. The policy was originated by the previous administration.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The proposal originated as part of a 180-page transmission plan for some 45 infrastructure projects requested by the grid operator, known as the CAISO. — Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026 The archive features beauty products originating from the 17th century through the 2000s, with the most valuable item being a Max Factor lipstick belonging to Marilyn Monroe that Parsons secured in an online auction for more than $15,000. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 10 Aug. 2026 One of the most promising changes originated nearly a decade ago with radiochemist Lætitia Delmau. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026 The mobile games also appear to be driving new viewers to the shows the IP originated from, as well. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for originate

Word History

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of originate was in 1668

Phrases Containing originate

Rhymes for originate

See All Rhymes for originate

Browse Nearby Words

originary
originate
originate with
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Cite this Entry

“Originate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/originate. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

originate

verb
orig·​i·​nate ə-ˈrij-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce originate (audio)
originated; originating
1
: to bring into existence : cause to be : initiate, invent
2
: to come into existence : arise
origination
-ˌrij-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce originate (audio)
noun
originator
-ˈrij-ə-ˌnāt-ər How to pronounce originate (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

originate

verb
orig·​i·​nate ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt How to pronounce originate (audio)
originated; originating

transitive verb

: to give rise to
specifically : to issue (a mortgage loan) usually for subsequent sale in a pool of mortgage loans to a secondary market compare service

intransitive verb

: to take or have origin
origination
ə-ˌri-jə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce originate (audio)
noun
originator
ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər How to pronounce originate (audio)
noun

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Nglish: Translation of originate for Spanish Speakers

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