provenance

Everyday

1. (formal) Where something comes from; its origin. tree →
2. The record of where an object such as a painting or ancient vase has been and who has owned it. tree →

In the lessons

In history and museums, provenance helps prove an object is real and was not stolen. In food, shops label the provenance of meat and fruit.

Examples

• The museum checked the painting's provenance. tree →
• The provenance of the old vase is unknown. tree →
• We buy food of local provenance. tree →
• Experts traced the coin's provenance to Roman Britain. tree →
• Without a provenance, the statue might be stolen. tree →
• The label shows the provenance of the apples. tree →

Note

Say: PROV-en-unss. Formal; everyday word: origin.