noun
provenance
PRO-vuh-nuhns
noun
1
The place of origin or history of ownership of something, especially a work of art or artifact.
"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
Word Forms
provenanced past tense, provenances plural, provenances singular
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The auction house verified the painting's _____ before sale.
Etymology
From French provenance, "origin," from provenir ("to arise, come forth"), from Latin provenio.