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
The incident originated outside Hallandale Beach, police previously said.
—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
5 July 2026
The featurette includes Zada discussing the character, which was originated onscreen by Woody Harrelson, along with director Francis Lawrence, producer Nina Jacobson and co-stars Elle Fanning, McKenna Grace, Ben Wang and Jesse Plemons.
—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 July 2026
The material found on Martian rocks, Murphy’s team warns, might have originated from non-biological processes as well.
—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
4 July 2026
According to the study, the first rupture occurred along the Boconó fault system, while the second originated on the San Sebastián fault, two of Venezuela’s principal tectonic structures.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for originate
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Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
5 July 2026
The featurette includes Zada discussing the character, which was originated onscreen by Woody Harrelson, along with director Francis Lawrence, producer Nina Jacobson and co-stars Elle Fanning, McKenna Grace, Ben Wang and Jesse Plemons.
—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
4 July 2026
The material found on Martian rocks, Murphy’s team warns, might have originated from non-biological processes as well.
—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
4 July 2026
According to the study, the first rupture occurred along the Boconó fault system, while the second originated on the San Sebastián fault, two of Venezuela’s principal tectonic structures.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for originate
Cite this Entry
“Originate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/originate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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