the place, person, or thing where something begins or comes from
The river's source is high in the mountains.
Wind is a clean source of energy for the town's homes.
✦ Middle English from Old French ‘sourse’, based on Latin ‘surgere’ meaning ‘to rise’.
a person, document, or organization that gives information, especially secretly
The reporter refused to reveal her source in court.
According to a government source, taxes will fall next year.
✦ Extension of earlier sense referring to the origin of information rather than of physical things.
to obtain something from a particular place, company, or person
The café sources its coffee beans from Colombia.
We plan to source recycled plastic for the new product line.
✦ From the noun ‘source’ meaning origin; first used as a verb in late 20th-century business English.
something useful—such as land, water, oil, or skilled people—that a person, group, or country can use when needed
Many countries depend on natural resources like oil and gas for their income.
During the drought, the farmer carefully managed his water resources.
✦ from Old French resourse, “means of supplying a need,” based on Latin resurgere “rise again”
a book, website, person, or other source of help or information
The library’s online resources make research much easier.
This guidebook is an excellent resource for first-time travelers.
the ability to deal quickly and effectively with problems; resourcefulness
Thanks to her quick resource, the hikers found their way back before nightfall.
The leader’s resource under pressure impressed everyone on the team.
