noun
provenance
PRO-vuh-nuhns
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.”
noun
1
The place of origin or history of ownership of something, especially a work of art or artifact.
"The picture is of royal provenance."
"The auction house verified the painting's provenance before sale."
"Experts questioned the vase's provenance."
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.
Common pairings
unclear provenance
establish provenance
known provenance
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Word forms
- Plural
- provenances
- Third person singular
- provenances
- Past tense
- provenanced
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
View more →Related words
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.
