2
a
: rise, beginning, or derivation from a source
the origin of life on earth
The word "algebra" is of Arabic origin.
b
: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives
the origin of the custom
a game of recent origin
also
: something that creates, causes, or gives rise to another
a spring is the origin of the brook
3
: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle
4
: the intersection of coordinate axes
Examples of origin in a Sentence
Her ethnic origins are French.
the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate
Recent Examples on the Web
The allegations raised fresh questions about the circumstances of Navalny's 2024 death and about the origin of a highly unusual toxin.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the UConn Fire Marshal’s Unit.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
This week's quiz highlights retro recipes, Olympic origins — and a lot more.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The helmer, who has Bissau-Guinean and Senegalese origins, wrote and directed the film which stars a mix of actors and newcomers, leading with Katy Correa and D’Johé Kouadio as a mother-and-daughter duo.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for origin
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Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 15 Feb. 2026
The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation by the UConn Fire Marshal’s Unit.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
This week's quiz highlights retro recipes, Olympic origins — and a lot more.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 15 Feb. 2026
The helmer, who has Bissau-Guinean and Senegalese origins, wrote and directed the film which stars a mix of actors and newcomers, leading with Katy Correa and D’Johé Kouadio as a mother-and-daughter duo.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for origin
Cite this Entry
“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/origin. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
origin
noun
or·i·gin
ˈȯr-ə-jən 
ˈär-
2
a
: a rising, beginning, or coming from a source
b
: basic source or cause
3
: the intersection of the x-axis and y-axis on a graph
Medical Definition
origin
noun
or·i·gin
ˈȯr-ə-jən, ˈär-
1
: the point at which something begins or rises or from which it derives
2
: the more fixed, central, or larger attachment of a muscle compare insertion sense 1
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