The meaning of DERIVE is to take, receive, or obtain especially from a specified source. How to use derive in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Derive.

DERIVE definition: 1. to get something from something else: 2. If a word or language is derived from another word or…. Learn more.

If you say that something such as a word or feeling derives or is derived from something else, you mean that it comes from that thing.

To obtain or receive from a source: a dance that is derived from the samba; confidence that is derived from...

derived, deriving to come from a source or origin; originate (often followed by from ).

Derive is a verb, as you can see, but it's often in the news in the noun form derivative: something that is derived from something else, as in "juice is a derivative of an orange."

• Many colleges derive most of their income from tuition fees. be derived from something • This prediction is derived from a free-form textual description of the problem.