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provenance

American  
[prov-uh-nuhns, -nahns] / ˈprɒv ə nəns, -ˌnɑns /

noun

  1. place or source of origin.

    The provenance of the ancient manuscript has never been determined.
provenance British  
/ ˈprɒvɪnəns, prəʊˈviːnɪəns /

noun

  1. a place of origin, esp that of a work of art or archaeological specimen

"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

Etymology

Origin of provenance

1860–65; < French, derivative of provenant, present participle of provenir < Latin prōvenīre to come forth; pro- 1, convene, -ant

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.

The provenance of the puck is similar to that of a basketball or football used in a notable moment.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

Queer desire, femininity, and lipstick form an intrepid triptych in the form of pop star Chappell Roan, whose persona betrays both her rural Missouri provenance and the glittery legacy of drag performance.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026

"Demand is being driven by consumers looking for premium, high-quality seafood they can trust, with Scottish salmon particularly valued in high-end dining and sashimi markets for its quality, provenance, and consistency," the spokesperson said.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

Rivalrous court factions falsely pinned the necklace’s tangle of provenance and patronage on Marie Antoinette.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

I think of the letter I found on Balekin’s desk, the one to Nicasia’s mother: I know the provenance of the blusher mushroom that you ask after.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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.