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Synonyms

originate

American  
[uh-rij-uh-neyt] / əˈrɪdʒ əˌneɪt /

verb (used without object)

originated, originating
  1. to take its origin or rise; begin; start; arise.

    The practice originated during the Middle Ages.

  2. (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)

originated, originating
  1. to give origin or rise to; initiate; invent.

    to originate a better method.

originate British  
/ əˈrɪdʒɪˌneɪt /

verb

  1. to come or bring into being

  2. (intr) (of a bus, train, etc) to begin its journey at a specified point

"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

Related Words

See discover.

Other Word Forms

  • originable adjective
  • origination noun
  • originator noun
  • self-originated adjective
  • self-originating adjective
  • self-origination noun

Etymology

Origin of originate

First recorded in 1645–55; probably back formation from origination (from French ), from Latin orīginātiō “etymology”; origin, -ate 1, ion

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.

"Our analysis shows that these animals originated in the deep ocean, a habitat which still harbors species like the ram's horn squid," says Sanchez.

From Science Daily

Doctors are said to have thought the infection originated from either fish or mushrooms and discharged the mother and daughter after they went to hospital.

From BBC

Greek authorities have seized pox vaccines originating from Turkey on at least two occasions.

From Barron's

The brief statement posted on X did not specify where the missiles originated.

From Barron's

Some are owned by the private-equity firms, such as Apollo, which originated the loans.

From The Wall Street Journal