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 fire department reports that an adult was found inside the same unit where the fire originated.
—
Wcco Staff, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Those familiar with the Six Senses brand will likely know of the ‘Alchemy Bar’ concept, which originated in Douro and invites guests to make their own beauty and wellness products—such as bath salts or body lotions —using natural ingredients grown on-site.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2026
Unlike most meteor showers, the Quadrantids originate from an asteroid rather than a comet.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The name originates from the howling of wolves during the frigid January nights, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for originate
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Wcco Staff, CBS News, 3 Jan. 2026
Those familiar with the Six Senses brand will likely know of the ‘Alchemy Bar’ concept, which originated in Douro and invites guests to make their own beauty and wellness products—such as bath salts or body lotions —using natural ingredients grown on-site.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2026
Unlike most meteor showers, the Quadrantids originate from an asteroid rather than a comet.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
The name originates from the howling of wolves during the frigid January nights, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
—Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 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 5 Jan. 2026.
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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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