derived; deriving
1
a
: to take, receive, or obtain especially from a specified source
is said to derive its name from a Native American word meaning "wild onion"
b
chemistry
: to obtain (a chemical substance) actually or theoretically from a parent substance
Petroleum is derived from coal tar.
3
archaic
: bring
… inconvenience that will be derived to them from stopping all imports …—
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson4
: to trace the derivation of
We can derive the word "chauffeur" from French.
: to have or take origin : come as a derivative
The novel's appeal derives entirely from the complexity of its characters.
deriver
noun
Synonyms
Examples of derive in a Sentence
The river derives its name from a Native American tribe.
Much of the book's appeal derives from the personality of its central character.
Recent Examples on the Web
The original data was derived from the Terra Property Trust Inc. 6.00% Notes due 2026 quarterly 10-Q report dated November 8, 2024.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
The report noted that Google’s content investment is derived from YouTube and investment in programming via their revenue-sharing arrangements with content creators.
—Brad Adgate, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Cannabis refers to all products derived from the plant Cannabis sativa, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
Currently, few of these types of drugs — called chelators, derived from the Greek word for claw — are approved by the FDA.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for derive 
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Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
The report noted that Google’s content investment is derived from YouTube and investment in programming via their revenue-sharing arrangements with content creators.
—Brad Adgate, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
Cannabis refers to all products derived from the plant Cannabis sativa, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024
Currently, few of these types of drugs — called chelators, derived from the Greek word for claw — are approved by the FDA.
—Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for derive
Dictionary Entries Near derive
Cite this Entry
“Derive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/derive. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
derive
verb
de·rive
di-ˈrīv 
derived; deriving
1
: to receive or obtain from a source
3
: to trace the origin, descent, or derivation of
4
: to come from a certain source or basis
the tradition derives from ancient practices
derivable
adjective
-ˈrī-və-bəl
Medical Definition
derive
verb
de·rive
di-ˈrīv
derived; deriving
: to take, receive, or obtain, especially from a specified source
specifically
: to obtain (a chemical substance) actually or theoretically from a parent substance
: to have or take origin
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