originate
verb
orig·i·nate
ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt 
originated; originating
: to give rise to : initiate
The composer originated 10 songs for the Broadway musical.
Examples of originate in a Sentence
These stories originated during earlier times.
The book originated as a series of lectures.
The sound seemed to originate from outside the room.
The custom is believed to have originated in the western U.S.
He did not originate the idea.
The policy was originated by the previous administration.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stand Downs originated during the Vietnam War as safe retreats where combat units could rest, recover, and enjoy camaraderie in a secure environment.
—
Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
The child of Nigerian immigrants living in Britain, Jim says the project is an effort to carve out a musical identity for other first-generation Black Brits whose parents originate from Africa or the Caribbean.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
The phrase originates from hockey legend Gordie Howe, known for his toughness and use of elbows on the ice.
—Jalen Williams, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
White Desert became carbon neutral in 2007, and continues to lighten its footprint by removing all waste, incorporating renewable energy, and using sustainable aviation fuels for the flights between Antarctica and Cape Town, where the trips originate.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originate
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Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2025
The child of Nigerian immigrants living in Britain, Jim says the project is an effort to carve out a musical identity for other first-generation Black Brits whose parents originate from Africa or the Caribbean.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
The phrase originates from hockey legend Gordie Howe, known for his toughness and use of elbows on the ice.
—Jalen Williams, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
White Desert became carbon neutral in 2007, and continues to lighten its footprint by removing all waste, incorporating renewable energy, and using sustainable aviation fuels for the flights between Antarctica and Cape Town, where the trips originate.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for originate
Cite this Entry
“Originate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/originate. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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Legal Definition
originate
verb
orig·i·nate
ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnāt
originated; originating
: to give rise to
specifically
: to issue (a mortgage loan) usually for subsequent sale in a pool of mortgage loans to a secondary market compare service
: to take or have origin
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