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Definition of "originate" []

  • To bring into being; create: originated the practice of monthly reports. (verb-transitive)
  • To come into being; start. See Synonyms at stem1. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "originate" in a sentence
  • "And what in the world -- where does the title originate?"
  • "What inspired your debut album 'Reach For The Sun' and where did the title originate from?"
  • "Slide 9: Underground Railroad  Where did the term originate?"