originate

[ uh-rij-uh-neyt ]

verb (used without object)

, o·rig·i·nat·ed, o·rig·i·nat·ing.

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)

, o·rig·i·nat·ed, o·rig·i·nat·ing.

1. to give origin or rise to; initiate; invent:

   to originate a better method.

originate

/ əˈrɪdʒɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to come or bring into being
2. intr (of a bus, train, etc) to begin its journey at a specified point

Derived Forms

• oˌrigiˈnation, noun
• oˈrigiˌnator, noun

Other Words From

• o·rig·i·na·ble [uh, -, rij, -, uh, -n, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• o·rigi·nation noun
• o·rigi·nator noun
• self-o·rigi·nated adjective
• self-o·rigi·nating adjective
• self-o·rigi·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of originate¹

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

Synonym Study

See discover.

Example Sentences

One PSF basically describes how an infinitely small point source of light originating in the sample is widened and spread into a three-dimensional diffraction pattern by the optical system.

From Science Daily

"The study implies that key genes involved in stem cell formation might have originated far earlier than the stem cells themselves, perhaps helping pave the way for the multicellular life we see today."

From Science Daily

For more than 20 years Mr. Frommer also wrote a syndicated newspaper travel column and had a weekly syndicated radio show, originating from WOR in New York.

From New York Times

Eventually, they hope the technique will replace surgery to remove the brain tissue where seizures originate, providing a less invasive option for patients whose symptoms cannot be controlled with medication.

From Science Daily

All meteor showers originate from the debris field of comets or asteroids.

From BBC

Related Words

• conceive
• develop
• discover
• evolve
• found
• generate
• hatch
• initiate
• invent
• produce
• spark
• spawn