origin

noun

ˈȯr-ə-jən How to pronounce origin (audio)
Definition of originnext
1
as in source
a point or place at which something is invented or provided the origins of human language remain a matter of considerable debate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in root
the source from which something grows or develops the origin of the tradition of giving presents at Christmastime

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in ancestry
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended they could trace their origins back 15 generations

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word origin distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of origin are inception, root, and source. While all these words mean "the point at which something begins its course or existence," origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

In what contexts can inception take the place of origin?

Although the words inception and origin have much in common, inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

When might root be a better fit than origin?

While in some cases nearly identical to origin, root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

When is source a more appropriate choice than origin?

The meanings of source and origin largely overlap; however, source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of origin But at least part of her origin story is squarely here. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026 Pratt offers no prototypical hard-luck origin story. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026 Swanson, who worked for decades as an investigative reporter at The News, told The New York Times in 2014 about Binion’s origin story, calling him a product of his time. —Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026 The holiday's origins might surprise you. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for origin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for origin
  1. source
  2. root
  3. ancestry
  4. cradle
  5. beginning
  6. lineage
  7. genesis
  8. pedigree
Noun
  • Counties would have five years to repay the loans, and would also have to pledge a source of revenue in the event FEMA didn't reimburse the funding.
    — ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
  • That approach lowers costs at the source, keeps families in the district, and restores real ownership instead of treating homeownership like a recurring tax base for government.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of source
Noun
  • While neighboring vineyards resorted to grafting their vines onto pest-resistant American roots, DRC used various intensive strategies to keep its original European vines intact, at least until the 1940s.
    — Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • In 2017, McRae went back to her YouTube roots and uploaded a video of herself singing an original ballad.
    — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of root
Noun
  • The story, which Adeyemi got the idea for while on a trip to Brazil, became a way to explore her Nigerian-American ancestry.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Shaboozey, clad in jeans, a black waistcoat and hat, continued to speak candidly about his ancestry.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 2 Feb. 2026
Definition of ancestry
Noun
  • Lamu, Kenya Sitting in the Indian Ocean to the northeast of the Kenyan mainland, Lamu is one of the cradles of Swahili culture.
    — Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 15 Feb. 2026
  • In other words, while the Democratic brand continued to flatline, the autopsy itself was declared dead in the cradle—this despite DNC officials having conducted more than 300 interviews and Martin having previously called the autopsy a crucial exercise.
    — Mark Leibovich, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of cradle
Noun
  • Intertextuality is described by Scarlett Barton in perhaps the opposite way, as linked to Roland Barthes’ observation that the author is dead, and that the text is the dissolution of every kind of voice, every beginning and core.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
  • This approach may appeal to taxpayers who want more personalized guidance at the beginning of the tax relief process before deciding how to proceed.
    — Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of beginning
Noun
  • The Sierra Nevada red fox is a distinct lineage from the common red fox known for residing in high-elevation, remote mountainous regions.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • There’s a lineage of people who’ve done this work and who are doing it now, which is so exciting to me.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of lineage
Noun
  • What was the genesis of Trial of Hein?
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
  • In her memoir, Uptown Girl, Christie Brinkley shared some details about the genesis of her relationship with ex-husband Billy Joel.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
Definition of genesis
Noun
  • Here was a paper with a strong pedigree that had fallen on somewhat hard times, and a suitor with funds who seemed eager to return it to steady glory.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
  • But White has long preached the process over championship pedigree to his potential players, and that doesn’t change now that Texas has a title.
    — Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of pedigree

Browse Nearby Words

orifices
origin
original
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/origin. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on origin

Nglish: Translation of origin for Spanish Speakers

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