provenance
Provenance (noun) means the place of origin or history of ownership of something, especially a work of art or artifact. Example: “The auction house verified the painting's provenance before sale.”
How to use provenance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWhere something came from and who has owned it over time — used especially for art, antiques, and historical objects.
Word forms
provenanced past tense, provenances plural, provenances singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The auction house verified the painting's _____ before sale.
Etymology
From French provenance, "origin," from provenir ("to arise, come forth"), from Latin provenio.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for provenance
See all rhymes for provenance →Frequently asked questions
What does “provenance” mean?
The word “provenance” means the place of origin or history of ownership of something, especially a work of art or artifact. In plain terms, where something came from and who has owned it over time — used especially for art, antiques, and historical objects.
How do you pronounce “provenance”?
“Provenance” is pronounced PRO-vuh-nuhns (/ˈpɹɑ.və.nəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “provenance” in a sentence?
Here is “provenance” used in a sentence: “The auction house verified the painting's provenance before sale.”
What part of speech is “provenance”?
“Provenance” is a noun.
Where does the word “provenance” come from?
The word “provenance” comes from Latin. From French provenance, "origin," from provenir ("to arise, come forth"), from Latin provenio.