originate

[uh-rij-uh-neyt]

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

/ əˈrɪdʒɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to come or bring into being

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of originate¹

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

Synonym Study

See discover.

Example Sentences

The virus, which is thought to have originated in fruit bats, was first detected in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now DR Congo.

From BBC

According to ACE, traffic to Streameast's various domains had originated primarily from the UK, US, Canada, Philippines and Germany.

From BBC

Although Sting was the band's primary songwriter, the other members both made contributions to their albums - and Summers has often claimed that he originated the iconic guitar riff on Every Breath You Take.

From BBC

For most of its career, Suede assumed Britpop — the movement the band helped originate in the early ’90s — wouldn’t make a comeback.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors said some of the images found on the former vicar's phone originated from this site.

From BBC

Related Words

• conceive 
• develop 
• discover 
• evolve 
• found 
• generate 
• hatch 
• initiate 
• invent 
• produce 
• spark 
• spawn