originate

[ uh-rij-uh-neyt ]

/ əˈrɪdʒ əˌneɪt /

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See synonyms for: originate / originated / originates / originating on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), o·rig·i·nat·ed, o·rig·i·nat·ing.

to take its origin or rise; begin; start; arise: The practice originated during the Middle Ages.

(of a train, bus, or other public conveyance) to begin a scheduled run at a specified place: This train originates at Philadelphia.

verb (used with object), o·rig·i·nat·ed, o·rig·i·nat·ing.

to give origin or rise to; initiate; invent: to originate a better method.

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Origin of originate

First recorded in 1645–55; probably back formation from origination (from French ), from Latin orīginātiō “etymology”; see origin, -ate¹, ion

synonym study for originate

3. See discover.

OTHER WORDS FROM originate

o·rig·i·na·ble

[uh-rij-uh-nuh-buhl], /əˈrɪdʒ ə nə bəl/, adjectiveo·rig·i·na·tion, nouno·rig·i·na·tor, nounself-o·rig·i·nat·ed, adjective

self-o·rig·i·nat·ing, adjectiveself-o·rig·i·na·tion, noun

Words nearby originate

original equipment manufacturer, originalism, originality, originally, original sin, originate, origination fee, originative, origin story, orihon, orihou

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use originate in a sentence

If we do one day discover life on Mars, it may be difficult to tell whether it originated there or drifted over from another planetary body.
Clumps of bacteria could spread life between planets|Paola Rosa-Aquino|August 27, 2020|Popular-Science
Scientists still debate whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus originated in a bat or a pangolin.
Can Vaccines for Wildlife Prevent Human Pandemics?|Rodrigo Pérez Ortega|August 24, 2020|Quanta Magazine
A conspiracy theory website, Gateway Pundit, spread the allegations, which originated with a group called My Party Was Changed Oregon.
For Election Administrators, Death Threats Have Become Part of the Job|by Jessica Huseman|August 21, 2020|ProPublica
Perhaps the most exciting possibility is that this FRB and others may originate from magnetars—a still-mysterious type of neutron star thought to have an extremely powerful magnetic field.
A strange rhythm in space|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review

Many viruses, of course, originate in populations of wild animals that evolved to withstand their negative impacts.
3-D Printed Statues in Central Park Shine a Light on Women Scientists - Facts So Romantic|Mary Ellen Hannibal|August 18, 2020|Nautilus
In wearing it, Hurley helped originate a wider revolution, too.
Happy 20th Birthday, Liz Hurley’s Safety-Pin Dress|Tim Teeman|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Where did this climate of fear originate within the Murdoch organization?
Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror Machine|Clive Irving|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But where do air pollutants in northern China, in particular Beijing, originate?
The Chinese Can’t Catch Their Breath|Brendon Hong|May 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The title will apparently remain “Late Show” and the program will still originate from The Ed Sullivan Theater.
Stephen Colbert’s Groveling ‘Late Show’ Debut|Tom Shales|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And aside from that, it was likely unconstitutional because bills that raise revenue must originate in the House.
Republicans' Cynical Oil Payoff|Michael Tomasky|May 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Large mononuclear leukocytes probably originate in the bone-marrow or spleen.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
A rumbling sound that did not originate in the thunder caps above jerked Black Hood's attention from the drain.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
It is difficult to believe that they originate at less than a hundred miles below the earth's surface.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Not less than the power to originate the great movement that has taken place, is requisite ability to direct it aright.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Our thoughts should originate from sound sense and reasoning, and always be the result of our judgment.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre|Jean de La Bruyre

British Dictionary definitions for originate

originate

/ (əˈrɪdʒɪˌneɪt) /

verb

to come or bring into being

(intr) US and Canadian (of a bus, train, etc) to begin its journey at a specified point

Derived forms of originate

origination, nounoriginator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for originate

originate

[ ə-rĭj′ə-nāt′ ]

To bring into being; create.

To come into being; start.

originate

Origin of originate

synonym study for originate

OTHER WORDS FROM originate

Words nearby originate

Words related to originate

How to use originate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for originate

Derived forms of originate

Medical definitions for originate