derived
Americanadjective
-
received, obtained, or arising from a particular source or in a particular way.
The relationship between the root word and the derived form is often metaphorical.
With ingredients that are 100% naturally derived, we can proudly say our lotion is vegan, cruelty-free, and ecofriendly.
-
dependent on or generated by something more basic; secondary.
The demand for a piece of capital equipment is a derived demand, as it stems directly from the demand for whatever it helps to produce.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of derived
Explanation
When something is derived from something else, it is made from that. Ham is derived from pork, and the active ingredient in aspirin is derived from the bark of the willow tree. It's best to use derived when you can still see the parts of the original in something. Some people believe baseball was derived from the game of cricket. Both games involve batting and runners, but cricket was around first. Derived is also the past tense of the verb, derive, which can mean to figure out or get. After six tries, Lucia derived the answer to the difficult math problem.
Vocabulary lists containing derived
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Words for the High School Graduate
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act II
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is derived from an Iroquoian word commonly translated as “lake of shining waters.”
From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026
The BLS update was derived by crosschecking prior monthly employment estimates with business tax records to get a more precise tally of how many new jobs were created.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 28, 2026
That is because jet fuel and diesel are both middle distillates derived from crude oil, limiting refiners’ ability to boost one without reducing the other.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
His channel, Aeris Rimor -- roughly derived from the Latin for Searcher of the Skies -- is one of dozens sending real-time messages about incoming drones and missiles.
From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026
They explained their methods so clearly that, when better observations were available, more accurate answers could be derived.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
