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Synonyms

originate

American  
[uh-rij-uh-neyt] / əˈrɪdʒ əˌneɪt /

verb (used without object)

originated, originating
  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)

originated, originating
  1. to give origin or rise to; initiate; invent.

    to originate a better method.

originate British  
/ əˈrɪdʒɪˌneɪt /

verb

  1. to come or bring into being

  2. (intr) (of a bus, train, etc) to begin its journey at a specified point

"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

Related Words

See discover.

Other Word Forms

  • originable adjective
  • origination noun
  • originator noun
  • self-originated adjective
  • self-originating adjective
  • self-origination noun

Etymology

Origin of originate

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

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.

That absence has fueled skepticism about whether sponges truly originated as early as genetic evidence suggests.

From Science Daily

The study, published in Communications Earth and Environment, raises new questions about where iron in the Southern Ocean actually originates.

From Science Daily

These rare steroid molecules appeared to originate from ancient sea sponges.

From Science Daily

Much of the growth came from the sale of newly originated leases to a third party, a new tactic for the company.

From Barron's

The three doctors had attended a séance at the Phelps House and noticed that the rapping sounds seemed to originate closer to Maggie.

From Literature