1
as in sources
a point or place at which something is invented or provided
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
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2
as in roots
the source from which something grows or develops
the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime
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3
as in lineages
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended
they could trace their origins back 15 generations
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of origins
An organization can take advantage of data management tools to help standardize the data so multiple systems and users can use it without worrying about its origins or accuracy.
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Robbie Morrison, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The Sky Axe may have spoken, to those who knew its origins, of distant horizons; and now, thanks to the young woman who found it, the skies of the American Midwest are part of its story, too.
—Peter Ross, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
The rise of Jerry Springer’s ‘circus’ Springer’s series has innocuous origins.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Cena credits the origins of this signature phrase and gesture to a moment of sibling fun.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Asked about the concept’s origins, McCarley stepped back to 2013, when The Players Championship was updating its tiebreaker format, expanding from a single-hole sudden death challenge to a three-hole playoff.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Jan. 2025
The stones’ distant origins have led Parker Pearson and his colleagues to believe that Stonehenge’s second phase of construction was meant to bring Britain together.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
The origins of both Hanukkah and Christmas offer insights into their modern-day significance.
—Priscilla Whitehead, Sun Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
While these parallels are compelling, the distinct origins and messages of the holidays are equally meaningful.
—Priscilla Whitehead, Sun Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
Robbie Morrison, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The Sky Axe may have spoken, to those who knew its origins, of distant horizons; and now, thanks to the young woman who found it, the skies of the American Midwest are part of its story, too.
—Peter Ross, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
The rise of Jerry Springer’s ‘circus’ Springer’s series has innocuous origins.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Cena credits the origins of this signature phrase and gesture to a moment of sibling fun.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Asked about the concept’s origins, McCarley stepped back to 2013, when The Players Championship was updating its tiebreaker format, expanding from a single-hole sudden death challenge to a three-hole playoff.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 7 Jan. 2025
The stones’ distant origins have led Parker Pearson and his colleagues to believe that Stonehenge’s second phase of construction was meant to bring Britain together.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
The origins of both Hanukkah and Christmas offer insights into their modern-day significance.
—Priscilla Whitehead, Sun Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
While these parallels are compelling, the distinct origins and messages of the holidays are equally meaningful.
—Priscilla Whitehead, Sun Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near origins
Cite this Entry
“Origins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origins. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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