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
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 mystery is three-dimensional: The humongous number of parameters obscuring what the model can do; the open data, internet data, on which the model is based (as opposed to in-house, clean data); and the source, the origin of the model’s development.
—
Gil Press, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
These asteroids are a direct window into the building blocks of our solar system and the origins of life.
—Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Medical examination determined some remains were of archaeological origin, with one bone sample estimated to be more than 100-years-old and another more than 500-years-old.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Hamm and Yang play a gay couple who suddenly appear with a newborn — and want to be treated just like their straight friends, reacting incredulously to reasonable questions about the child’s origins.
—Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for origin
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Gil Press, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
These asteroids are a direct window into the building blocks of our solar system and the origins of life.
—Patrick M. Shober, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Medical examination determined some remains were of archaeological origin, with one bone sample estimated to be more than 100-years-old and another more than 500-years-old.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Apr. 2025
Hamm and Yang play a gay couple who suddenly appear with a newborn — and want to be treated just like their straight friends, reacting incredulously to reasonable questions about the child’s origins.
—Andy Hoglund, EW.com, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for origin
Cite this Entry
“Origin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/origin. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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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