originator

noun

orig·​i·​na·​tor ə-ˈri-jə-ˌnā-tər 

plural originators

: someone or something that originates or gives rise to something

the originator of the idea/theory

a technique named after its originator

Persia was the originator of melons, cucumbers, and pears.

—Carol Bly

Synonyms

• contriver
• designer
• developer
• deviser
• formulator
• innovator
• introducer
• inventor

Examples of originator in a Sentence

Thomas Edison was the originator of the light bulb

Copernicus is sometimes hailed as the originator of modern astronomy, for he overturned the notion of an earth-centered universe

Recent Examples on the Web

Our Spacious Skies The Weird Greatness of Ohio’s Hollow Earth Festival Jack Butler And its originator’s core beliefs. —Daniel Foster, National Review, 15 May 2025

Local lore points to Honey’s Restaurant, a downtown billiard hall turned full-time diner, as the originator. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 14 May 2025

Known as an originator of hardcore wrestling, Sabu often leapt from chairs and threw his opponents through tables and barbed wire. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025

Humira is an originator with numerous referenced biosimilars. —Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for originator

• accelerator
• accumulator
• adjudicator
• administrator
• appropriator
• articulator
• attenuator
• bronchodilator
• collaborator
• communicator
• conciliator
• cooperator