provenance
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of provenance
1860–65; < French, derivative of provenant, present participle of provenir < Latin prōvenīre to come forth; see pro- 1, convene, -ant
Explanation
Where something comes from is its provenance. If a style of music originated in the capital of Rhode Island, you could say that its provenance was Providence. Some items of foreign provenance are taxed more heavily than domestic products. If you claim that an artwork put up for sale was stolen from your family's art collection, an investigation may be ordered to resolve issues of provenance. In this case, provenance refers to who has the legal right to the specific work of art, or to whom it belongs.
Vocabulary lists containing provenance
Hidden Figures
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Unbroken
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Musty Dusty Words for National Old Stuff Day
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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 live question in 2026 is acquisition: where the books came from, who paid for them, and what the company knew about their provenance when it hit download,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
While it cannot be conclusively proved that this axe belonged to Mallory, its direct family provenance and historical context make it one of the most significant objects linked to the climber.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
“The property’s celebrity provenance and distinctive design details will naturally generate significant interest,” she said.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 3, 2026
These pieces remain in state custody while provenance research continues, sometimes decades after their recovery.
From Salon ● May 9, 2026
I know the provenance of the blusher mushroom that you ask after, but what you do with it must not be tied to me.
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.
