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

Little is known about its provenance and eventual acquisition by A. Sherrill Whiton Jr., a director of the New York School of Interior Design. —Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Reminding students to stay skeptical about the provenance of a picture and the origins of a provocative fact while pointing them to authoritative sources will diminish the potency of disinformation campaigns. —Meg Little Reilly, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

To add to this example’s provenance, it was ordered by none other than Luigi Chinetti, Ferrari’s North American importer who was also a winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the owner of the famous North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.). —Howard Walker, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2024

The initiative is three-fold, and starts with provenance — where a claim, image or video has originated from. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Sep. 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