You can refer to the beginning, cause, or source of something as its origin or origins.
...theories about the origin of life.
The disorder in military policy had its origins in Truman's first term.
Their medical problems are basically physical in origin.
Most of the thickeners are of plant origin.
Synonyms: beginning, start, birth, source More Synonyms of origin
2. countable noun [usually poss NOUN, oft of/inN]
When you talk about a person's origin or origins, you are referring to the country, race, or social class of their parents or ancestors.
Thomas has not forgotten his humble origins.
...people of Asian origin.
They are forced to return to their country of origin.
Synonyms: ancestry, family, race, beginnings More Synonyms of origin
More Synonyms of origin
origin in British English
(ˈɒrɪdʒɪn)
noun
1.
a primary source; derivation
2.
the beginning of something; first stage or part
3. (often plural)
ancestry or parentage; birth; extraction
4. anatomy
a.
the end of a muscle, opposite its point of insertion
b.
the beginning of a nerve or blood vessel or the site where it first starts to branch out
5. mathematics
a.
the point of intersection of coordinate axes or planes
b.
the point whose coordinates are all zero
See also pole2 (sense 8)
6. business
the country from which a commodity or product originates
shipment from origin
Word origin
C16: from French origine, from Latin orīgō beginning, birth, from orīrī to rise, spring from
origin in American English
(ˈɔrədʒɪn; ˈɑrədʒɪn)
noun
1.
a coming into existence or use; beginning
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
5. Ancient Mathematics
a.
in a system of Cartesian coordinates, the point at which the axes intersect; base point where the abscissa and ordinate equal zero
b.
any zero reference point from which measurement begins
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 somethingstems [the root of the matter]
Word origin
ME origyne < MFr origine < L origo (gen. originis) < oriri, to rise: see orient
Examples of 'origin' in a sentence
origin
Virtually absent from foods of plant origin.
Mayes, Adrienne The Dictionary of Nutritional Health (1986)
Your product needs to fit the perceptions of its country of origin.
Al Ries and Laura Ries THE 22 IMMUTABLE LAWS OF BRANDING (2002)
It probably comes from my very humble origins and a sense of needing to be financially secure.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We have experimental and observational evidence concerning things which happened before and after the origin of life.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
It is instructive to trace these back to their origin.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The origin of the term is uncertain.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You can overcome the burden of your social origin.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The feeling grows that all are trapped by their class origins.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The stories expand from their stage origins to fill the city of romance.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
These facts convinced me that the illness had a physical origin rather than a mental one.
Wilkinson, Steve M.E. and You - a self-help plan (1988)
There is no cholesterol at all in any foods of plant origin.
Kowalski, Robert E The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure (1990)
Staff there were also asked to put pins in their country of origin.
The Sun (2009)
Arguments about the source of that origin and its subsequent evolutionary pathways are also raging between different specialists.
Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)
There is a segment of ruined wall in the court which is of far more recent origin than the remainder of the tomb.
Brennan, J. H. A Guide to Megalithic Ireland (1992)
Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race.
McKenzie, James F. & Pinger, Robert R. An Introduction to Community Health (1995)
It does not disclose the source and origin of that wonder '.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
And the 22-year-old singer's origins are far from humble.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He stressed: 'It is without any doubt that the reasons and causes have their origins in this country.
The Sun (2012)
It shall ensure the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction of origin, race or religion.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
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
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
Latin American Spanish: origen
Swedish: ursprung
Thai: จุดกำเนิด
Turkish: kaynak çıkış noktası
Ukrainian: походження
Vietnamese: nguồn gốc
Chinese translation of 'origin'
origin
(ˈɔrɪdʒɪn)
n(c/u)
(= source) 起源 (qǐyuán)
(= ancestry) 出身 (chūshēn)
country of origin祖国(國) (zǔguó)
people of Indian origin印度人 (Yìndùrén)
1 (noun)
Definition
the point, source, or event from which something develops
theories about the origin of life
Synonyms
beginning
Think of this as a new beginning.
start
She demanded to know why she had not been told from the start.
birth
the birth of popular democracy
source
launch
the launch of a campaign to restore law and order
foundation
creation
dawning
early stages
emergence
outset
Decide at the outset what kind of learning programme will suit you best.
starting point
onset
This drug slows down the onset of the disease.
genesis
The project had its genesis two years earlier.
initiation
inauguration
They later attended the inauguration of the University.
inception
Since its inception, the company has produced 53 different designs.
font (poetic)
commencement
All applicants should be at least 16 years of age at the commencement of this course.
fountain
You are a fountain of ideas.
fount
origination
fountainhead
mainspring
Opposites
end
,
death
,
finish
,
conclusion
,
outcome
,
finale
,
termination
,
culmination
,
expiry
2 (noun)
Definition
the point, source, or event from which something develops
What is the origin of the word `honeymoon'?
Synonyms
root
We got to the root of the problem.
source
the source of the Tiber
basis
The UN plan is a possible basis for negotiation.
beginnings
base
Oils may be mixed with a base and massaged into the skin.
cause
The article lists the major causes of panic attacks.
spring
the hidden springs of consciousness
roots
seed
the seed of an idea
foundation
Best friends are the foundation of my life.
nucleus
germ
The germ of an idea took root in her mind.
provenance
art treasures of indisputably Egyptian provenance
derivation
The derivation of its name is obscure.
wellspring
Nature has always been the wellspring of her art.
fons et origo (Latin)
3 (noun)
Definition
the country, race, or social class of a person's parents or ancestors
people of Asian origin
Synonyms
ancestry
They can trace their ancestry back to the seventeenth century.
family
Her family came to Los Angeles at the turn of the century.
race
We welcome students of all races, faiths and nationalities.
beginnings
stock
We are both from working-class stock.
blood
He was of noble blood, and an officer.
birth
people of humble birth
heritage
ancestors
descent
All the contributors were of foreign descent.
pedigree
a countess of impeccable pedigree
extraction
a young Brazilian of German extraction
lineage
They can trace their lineage back to the 18th century.
forebears
antecedents
parentage
She is a Londoner of mixed English and Jamaican parentage.
forefathers
genealogy
He had sat and repeated his family's genealogy to her.
derivation
progenitors
stirps
Additional synonyms
in the sense of base
Oils may be mixed with a base and massaged into the skin.
Synonyms
essence,
source,
basis,
concentrate,
root,
core,
extract
in the sense of basis
Definition
a principle on which something depends
The UN plan is a possible basis for negotiation.
Synonyms
foundation,
support,
base,
ground,
footing,
theory,
bottom,
principle,
premise,
starting point,
groundwork,
point of departure,
principal element,
chief ingredient
in the sense of birth
Definition
the beginning of something
the birth of popular democracy
Synonyms
beginning,
start,
rise,
source,
origin,
emergence,
outset,
genesis,
initiation,
inauguration,
inception,
commencement,
fountainhead
Synonyms of 'origin'
origin
Explore 'origin' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of birth
Definition
ancestry
people of humble birth
Synonyms
ancestry,
line,
race,
stock,
blood,
background,
breeding,
strain,
descent,
pedigree,
extraction,
lineage,
forebears,
parentage,
genealogy,
derivation
in the sense of blood
Definition
relationship through being of the same family, race, or kind
He was of noble blood, and an officer.
Synonyms
family,
relations,
birth,
descent,
extraction,
ancestry,
lineage,
kinship,
kindred
in the sense of cause
Definition
something that produces a particular effect
The article lists the major causes of panic attacks.
Synonyms
origin,
source,
agency,
spring,
agent,
maker,
producer,
root,
beginning,
creator,
genesis,
originator,
prime mover,
mainspring,
the why and wherefore
in the sense of commencement
Definition
the beginning
All applicants should be at least 16 years of age at the commencement of this course.
Synonyms
beginning,
start,
opening,
launch,
birth,
origin,
dawn (literary),
outset,
onset,
initiation,
inauguration,
inception,
embarkation
in the sense of derivation
Definition
the origin or descent of something, such as a word
The derivation of its name is obscure.
Synonyms
origin,
source,
basis,
beginning,
root,
foundation,
descent,
ancestry,
genealogy,
etymology
in the sense of descent
Definition
derivation from an ancestor
All the contributors were of foreign descent.
Synonyms
origin,
extraction,
ancestry,
lineage,
family tree,
parentage,
heredity,
genealogy,
derivation
in the sense of extraction
Definition
the origin or ancestry of a person
a young Brazilian of German extraction
Synonyms
origin,
family,
ancestry,
descent,
race,
stock,
blood,
birth,
pedigree,
lineage,
parentage,
derivation
in the sense of family
Definition
a group descended from a common ancestor
Her family came to Los Angeles at the turn of the century.
Synonyms
ancestors,
forebears,
parentage,
forefathers,
house,
line,
race,
blood,
birth,
strain,
tribe,
sept,
clan,
descent,
dynasty,
pedigree,
extraction,
ancestry,
lineage,
genealogy,
line of descent,
stemma,
stirps
in the sense of foundation
Definition
the basic experience, idea, or attitude on which a way of life or belief is based
Best friends are the foundation of my life.
Synonyms
basis,
heart,
root,
mainstay,
beginning,
support,
ground,
rest,
key,
principle,
fundamental,
premise,
starting point,
principal element
in the sense of fountain
Definition
a source or supply
You are a fountain of ideas.
Synonyms
source,
fount,
wellspring,
wellhead,
beginning,
rise,
cause,
origin,
genesis,
commencement,
derivation,
fountainhead
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fountainhead
Definition
a principal or original source
Synonyms
source,
well,
spring,
origin,
inspiration,
fount,
wellspring,
mainspring,
fons et origo
in the sense of genealogy
Definition
the direct descent of an individual or group from an ancestor
He had sat and repeated his family's genealogy to her.
Synonyms
ancestry,
descent,
pedigree,
line,
origin,
extraction,
lineage,
family tree,
parentage,
derivation,
blood line,
progeniture,
stemma,
stirps,
stock,
strain,
whakapapa (New Zealand)
in the sense of genesis
Definition
the beginning or origin of anything
The project had its genesis two years earlier.
Synonyms
beginning,
source,
root,
origin,
start,
generation,
birth,
creation,
dawn (literary),
formation,
outset,
starting point,
engendering,
inception,
commencement,
propagation
in the sense of germ
Definition
the beginning from which something may develop
The germ of an idea took root in her mind.
Synonyms
beginning,
root,
seed,
origin,
spark,
bud,
embryo,
rudiment
in the sense of inauguration
They later attended the inauguration of the University.
Synonyms
opening,
launch,
birth,
inception,
commencement
in the sense of inception
Definition
the beginning of a project
Since its inception, the company has produced 53 different designs.
Synonyms
beginning,
start,
rise,
birth,
origin,
dawn (literary),
outset,
initiation,
inauguration,
commencement,
kickoff (informal)
in the sense of launch
Definition
an act or instance of launching
the launch of a campaign to restore law and order
Synonyms
beginning,
start,
introduction,
initiation,
opening,
founding,
setting-up,
inauguration,
commencement,
instigation
in the sense of lineage
Definition
direct descent from an ancestor
They can trace their lineage back to the 18th century.
Synonyms
descent,
family,
line,
succession,
house,
stock,
birth,
breed,
pedigree,
extraction,
ancestry,
forebears,
progeny,
heredity,
forefathers,
genealogy
in the sense of onset
Definition
a start
This drug slows down the onset of the disease.
Synonyms
beginning,
start,
rise,
birth,
kick-off (informal),
outbreak,
starting point,
inception,
commencement
in the sense of outset
Definition
a start
Decide at the outset what kind of learning programme will suit you best.
Synonyms
beginning,
start,
opening,
early days,
starting point,
onset,
inauguration,
inception,
commencement,
kickoff (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of parentage
Definition
ancestry or family
She is a Londoner of mixed English and Jamaican parentage.
Synonyms
family,
birth,
origin,
descent,
line,
race,
stock,
pedigree,
extraction,
ancestry,
lineage,
paternity,
derivation,
stirps
in the sense of pedigree
Definition
the line of descent of a purebred animal
a countess of impeccable pedigree
Synonyms
lineage,
family,
line,
race,
stock,
blood,
breed,
heritage,
descent,
extraction,
ancestry,
family tree,
genealogy,
derivation,
stemma,
stirps
in the sense of provenance
Definition
a place of origin
art treasures of indisputably Egyptian provenance
Synonyms
origin,
source,
birthplace,
derivation
in the sense of race
Definition
a group of people of common ancestry with distinguishing physical features, such as skin colour or build
We welcome students of all races, faiths and nationalities.
Synonyms
people,
ethnic group,
nation,
blood,
house,
family,
line,
issue,
stock,
type,
seed (biblical),
breed,
folk,
tribe,
offspring,
clan,
kin,
lineage,
progeny,
kindred
in the sense of seed
Definition
the source, beginning, or origin of anything
the seed of an idea
Synonyms
origin,
source,
basis,
heart,
essence,
nucleus,
fount,
wellspring
in the sense of source
Definition
the area or spring where a river or stream begins
the source of the Tiber
Synonyms
origin,
spring,
fount,
fountainhead,
wellspring,
rise
in the sense of spring
the hidden springs of consciousness
Synonyms
source,
root,
origin,
well,
beginning,
cause,
fount,
fountainhead,
wellspring
in the sense of start
Definition
the place or time at which something begins
She demanded to know why she had not been told from the start.
Synonyms
beginning,
outset,
opening,
birth,
foundation,
dawn (literary),
first step(s),
onset,
initiation,
inauguration,
inception,
commencement,
kickoff (informal),
opening move
in the sense of stock
Definition
the original type from which a particular race, family, or group is descended