originate
Americanverb (used without object)
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originates,
present (3rd person singular)
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originated,
past participle, past
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originating
present participle
-
to take its origin or rise; begin; start; arise.
The practice originated during the Middle Ages.
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(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)
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originates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
originated,
past participle, past
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originating
present participle
verb
-
to come or bring into being
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(intr) (of a bus, train, etc) to begin its journey at a specified point
Synonym Usage
See discover.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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originationnoun
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originatornoun
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self-originationnoun
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originableadjective
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self-originatedadjective
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self-originatingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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originatesimple
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originatessimple
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have originatedperfect
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has originatedperfect
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am originatingprogressive
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are originatingprogressive
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is originatingprogressive
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have been originatingperfect progressive
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has been originatingperfect progressive
Past
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originatedsimple
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had originatedperfect
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was originatingprogressive
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were originatingprogressive
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had been originatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of originate
First recorded in 1645–55; probably back formation from origination (from French ), from Latin orīginātiō “etymology”; see origin, -ate 1, ion
Explanation
Originate is a verb that means to start or create something. You can originate the idea of adding a fancy new coffee machine to your company's break room, and before long, your entire office could be happily drinking mocha lattes. Originate is the place or point at which any new thing or idea starts. It usually doesn't end there, though. A carpet that originates in Turkey can travel all the way to an apartment in New York. A rumor can originate during first period, but by lunchtime it will have made its way around the entire high school.
Vocabulary lists containing originate
100 SAT words Beginning with "O"
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Jumpstart Your Vocab: Synonyms for "Begin"
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Ten Words from Today's NY Times - June 6, 2012
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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.
See Examples For:
The treaty governs the use of water from six rivers, whose headwaters originate in India but flow into Pakistan as part of the Indus basin -- a resource relied on by hundreds of millions.
From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026
The names of four of the Great Lakes - Ontario, Huron, Michigan and Erie - originate from indigenous words.
From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026
Because many microglia in aging humans appear to originate from blood stem cells, anything that changes cells in the blood or bone marrow could potentially influence the brain as well.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
Polaris CEO Mike Speetzen told analysts this week that by the end of 2027, less than 5% of the company’s total cost of goods sold will originate from China, reducing its tariff burden.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
“And will the other gentleman originate a sentiment.”
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
The classic example is of dubious historical accuracy, but originates from the British occupation of India.
From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2026
Every deed and flood map, every blue dot on every phone originates from it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Researchers have spent decades trying to determine where it originates.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026
He says that in his homeland there is much more focus on quality and that people are most concerned about where the product originates and what it tastes like.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Once life originates, it tends to be very adaptable and tenacious.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
The current outbreak originated in the remote northeastern province of Ituri and is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or treatment.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
The $10 million originated in a $67 million Medicaid settlement between Florida and Centene, one of the state’s largest Medicaid contractors.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026
Breathwork originated from traditional practices like yoga and has been used in other fields like martial arts for centuries, says Stuart.
From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026
Cullen originated the role in the 1980s animated “Transformers” series, referred to by fans as “G1” or “Generation 1.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
“This habit probably originated in the females carefully licking their puppies—the dearest object of their love—for the sake of cleansing them... .Thus, the habit will have become associated with the emotion of love.”
From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman
Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida led the country, with 83.1% of views to new-construction listings originating outside the metro area.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Curry, who died Tuesday at the age of 80, is best remembered for originating the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in both the stage and film versions of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
The Recording Academy said the new award aims to honour "artistic excellence in Asian pop music performances originating from or widely recognized within Asian markets, including but not limited to K-pop, J-pop and C-pop".
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Scott Bryce, the actor best known for originating the role of Craig Montgomery on the soap opera “As the World Turns,” has died.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
In this formulation, all forms of authority not originating within the self were stigmatized and placed on the permanent defensive.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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.
