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
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
Synonyms
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
Same as Papen, Tartt felt the blight and taint of her origins.
—
Lili Anolik, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
The team used the same strontium isotopes that were used to date the DNA samples to get a better understanding of the diversity and origins of Pompeii’s residents.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
The origins of the mystery song, as Rolling Stone reported in 2019, began with a young music fan named Darius S. from Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Listen to Jones speak on the origins of VIBE below.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for origin 
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Lili Anolik, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
The team used the same strontium isotopes that were used to date the DNA samples to get a better understanding of the diversity and origins of Pompeii’s residents.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
The origins of the mystery song, as Rolling Stone reported in 2019, began with a young music fan named Darius S. from Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Listen to Jones speak on the origins of VIBE below.
—Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for origin
Dictionary Entries Near origin
Cite this Entry
“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/origin. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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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