provenance

noun

prov·​e·​nance ˈpräv-nən(t)s 

ˈprä-və-ˌnän(t)s

1

: origin, source

2

: the history of ownership of a valued object or work of art or literature

Examples of provenance in a Sentence

Has anyone traced the provenances of these paintings?

The artifact is of unknown provenance.

Recent Examples on the Web

But none of this was a shock given the provenance, quality, and looks of this Bugatti. —Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 14 Jan. 2025

It was developed to reward good actors who are willing to show the provenance and attribution of their work, which creators love. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

The best-case scenario – as with UCLA – is that the museum works with the current owner to verify provenance and, ideally, arrange their return. —Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

Like the LeBaron, the Y-Foil 77 was also of highly dubious celebrity provenance, having supposedly once belonged to the late writer and bon vivant George Plimpton. —Eben Weiss, Outside Online, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from provenir to come forth, originate, from Latin provenire, from pro- forth + venire to come — more at pro-, come

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1