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Synonyms

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.

When Mr. de Waal, a British ceramicist, inherited 264 of these netsuke from a relative in the 1990s, he became fascinated by their artistry—and their provenance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The film’s theatrical provenance reveals itself in long monologues in the Marilyn confessional room and Pedretti delivers one that reveals the depth beyond Cherry’s ditzy exterior.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

"If the authenticity and lawful provenance of the collection are documented, the Ministry of Culture will immediately finalise measures for its acquisition," it said.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 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

Sullivan took the suggestion but never acknowledged its provenance, even though that one great entrance eventually became the talk of the fair.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

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.