Definition of 'origin'
Word forms: plural origins
1. countable noun
You can refer to the beginning, cause, or source of something as its origin or origins.
2. countable noun [usu poss N, also of/in N]
When you talk about a person's origin or origins, you are referring to the country, race, or living conditions of their parents or
ancestors.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
You may also like
Word Frequency
origin in American English
noun
SYNONYMY NOTE: origin is applied to that from which a person or thing has its very beginning [the origin of a word]; source is applied to the point or place from which something arises, comes, or develops
[the sun is our source of energy]; beginning is the basic term for a starting point or place [the beginning of a quarrel]; inception is specif. applied to the beginning of an undertaking, organization, etc. [Smith headed the business from its inception]; root1 suggests an origin so deep and basic as to be the ultimate cause from which something
stems [the root of the matter]2.
parentage; birth; lineage
3.
that in which something has its beginning; source; root; cause
4. Anatomy
the less movable of the two points of attachment of a muscle, usually the end attached to the more rigid part of the skeleton
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
origin in American English
(ˈɔrɪdʒɪn, ˈɑr-)
noun
SYNONYMS 1. root, foundation. 4. birth, lineage, descent.ANTONYMS 1. destination, end.1.
to follow a stream to its origin
3.
the first stage of existence; beginning
the origin of Quakerism in America
4.
ancestry; parentage; extraction
to be of Scottish origin
6. Math
a.
the point in a Cartesian coordinate system where the axes intersect
b. Also called: pole
the point from which rays designating specific angles originate in a polar coordinate system with no axes
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1350–1400; ME ‹ L orīgin- (s. of orīgō) beginning, source, lineage, deriv. of orīrī to rise; cf. orient]Word Frequency
origin in British English
noun
1.
4. anatomy
5. mathematics
a.
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C16: from French origine, from Latin orīgō beginning, birth, from orīrī to rise, spring from
Examples of 'origin' in a sentence
origin
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.
We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…
Trends of
origin
View usage over:
Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
In other languages
origin
British English: origin
/ˈɒrɪdʒɪn/ NOUN
You can refer to the beginning, cause, or source of something as its origin or its origins.
Scientists study the origin of life on Earth.
- American English: origin /ˈɔrɪdʒɪn/
- Arabic: أصْلٌ source
- Brazilian Portuguese: origem
- Chinese: 起源
- Croatian: porijeklo
- Czech: původ
- Danish: oprindelse
- Dutch: oorsprong
- European Spanish: origen
- Finnish: alkuperä
- French: origine
- German: Ursprung
- Greek: προέλευση
- Italian: origine
- Japanese: 起源
- Korean: 근원
- Norwegian: opprinnelse
- Polish: zaczątek
- European Portuguese: origem
- Romanian: origine
- Russian: происхождение
- Spanish: origen
- Swedish: ursprung
- Thai: จุดกำเนิด
- Turkish: kaynak çıkış noktası
- Ukrainian: походження
- Vietnamese: nguồn gốc
Browse alphabetically
origin
Related terms of
origin
Source
Definition of origin from the Collins English Dictionary
Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
BUILDINGS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
police station
synagogue
supermarket
café
BUILDINGS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
town hall
office block
hairdresser
swimming pool
Your score:
Word of the day
Malmö
a port in S Sweden , on the Sound: part of Denmark until 1658; industrial centre. Pop: 268 971 (2004 est)
Latest Word Submissions
Intellectiquette
May 06, 2024
Diaper Donny
May 06, 2024
Printerager
May 05, 2024
malinformation
May 04, 2024
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
SPORTS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
snorkelling
luge
archery
shotput
SPORTS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
pool
skiing
table tennis
shooting
SPORTS
Drag the correct answer into the box.
basketball
high jump
rugby
football
Your score:
New collocations added to dictionary
Collocations are words that are often used together and are brilliant at providing natural sounding language for your speech and writing.
Read more
Study guides for every stage of your learning journey
Whether you're in search of a crossword puzzle, a detailed guide to tying knots, or tips on writing the perfect college essay, Harper Reference has you covered for all your study needs.
Read more
Updating our Usage
There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more.
Read more
Area 51, Starship, and Harvest Moon: September’s Words in the News
I’m sure a lot of people would agree that we live in strange times. But do they have to be so strange that Area 51 is making headlines? And what’s this about fish the look like aliens. September’s Words in the News explain all.
Read more
Learning English: Days of the week
Learn how to discuss what happens on different days of the week, whether you want to make plans for the day or talk about weekly routines.
Read more
Learning English: Going shopping
Discover some useful English expressions to use while you're out at the shops in this week's Learning English blog.
Read more
Sting-Nettle Day
We're taking a closer look at the intriguing expressions and customs that have grown up around one of the most versatile plants out there - the stinging nettle.
Read more
Learning English: Saying goodbye
Learn informal ways to say goodbye in British English - from 'Goodbye' to 'See ya!' with examples and tips for everyday use.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more