origin

noun

or·​i·​gin ˈȯr-ə-jən How to pronounce origin (audio)
ˈär-
Synonyms of origin
1
: ancestry, parentage
was of humble origin
She is of French origin.
2
a
: rise, beginning, or derivation from a source
the origin of life on earth
The word "algebra" is of Arabic origin.
b
: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives
the origin of the custom
a game of recent origin
also : something that creates, causes, or gives rise to another
a spring is the origin of the brook
3
: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle
4
: the intersection of coordinate axes

Synonyms of origin

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origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence.

origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

Examples of origin in a Sentence

Her ethnic origins are French. the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
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 investigation into the cause and origin of the fire continued Sunday. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 From his origin story onward, the Joker has become the super-hero movie long-suffering Front Range fans deserved. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 Aug. 2026 Bilal traces the project’s origins to sensory fragments rather than plot. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 9 Aug. 2026 The framework the surgeons built around it required formal disclosure of the atlas's origin to readers, to surgical teams, and to patients, along with bioethicist review and a memorial to the people depicted. — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for origin

Word History

Etymology

Middle English origine, from Latin origin-, origo, from oriri to rise — more at orient entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of origin was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing origin

Rhymes for origin

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Browse Nearby Words

Origenist
origin
original
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/origin. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

origin

noun
or·​i·​gin ˈȯr-ə-jən How to pronounce origin (audio)
ˈär-
1
: ancestry sense 1, parentage
2
a
: a rising, beginning, or coming from a source
b
: basic source or cause
3
: the intersection of the x-axis and y-axis on a graph
Etymology

Middle English origine "ancestry," from Latin origin-, origo, from oriri "to rise" — related to aborigine, orient see Word History at orient

Medical Definition

origin

noun
or·​i·​gin ˈȯr-ə-jən, ˈär- How to pronounce origin (audio)
1
: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives
2
: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle compare insertion sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on origin

Nglish: Translation of origin for Spanish Speakers

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