Source Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

source

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a generative force : cause
b(1)
: a point of origin or procurement : beginning
(2)
: one that initiates : author
also : prototype, model
(3)
: one that supplies information
2
a
: the point of origin of a stream of water : fountainhead
b
archaic : spring, fount
3
: a firsthand document or primary reference work
4
: an electrode in a field-effect transistor that supplies the charge carriers for current flow compare drain, gate
sourceless adjective

source

2 of 3

verb

sourced; sourcing

transitive verb

1
: to specify the source of (something, such as quoted material)
2
: to obtain from a source
metals sourced from abroad

source

3 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or being source code
a source file
Choose the Right Synonym for source

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence.

origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

Examples of source in a Sentence

Noun The college had its own power source. She has been a great source of strength to me. His job is the family's main source of income. A government source spoke to the press today. The reporter has refused to reveal his sources. According to one source, the program will not cost a lot. information from various intelligence sources
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Two security sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said the strike was carried out by a Turkish drone. Mohamed Gabobe, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 Jurors had been listening to the defense’s final witness, Randle’s brother, around 11 a.m. when, according to a source at the scene, Randle jammed the pen into Fregi’s head and again near his jaw. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 That’s according to a Bloomberg story that cited unnamed sources familiar with the negotiations. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2024 However, a separate source close to the situation tells EW that is not true. Lauren Huff, EW.com, 19 Mar. 2024 What are the stakes of the fight over open vs. closed source AI? Max Zahn, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 The decade-old investigation into the outbreak revealed as early as 2017 that soft cheeses like queso fresco were a potential source of the outbreak, but had not been able to identify the specific brand or manufacturer. Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Instilling the right values and exhibiting the right behaviors will increasingly become a source of differentiation and competitive advantage. François Candelon, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 No specific source for the contamination has been identified or made public at this time. Sarah Bowman, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
In a statement, an Airbus spokesperson said the company did not comment on sourcing volumes and supplier contracts but was complying with all prevailing sanctions against Russia. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Yet hotels continue to act like scrapping single-use soaps and sourcing their restaurant food locally will reverse climate change. Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 Locally sourced fish and produce are the focal points of the multi-course meal. Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2024 Hanes’ short-sleeve T-shirts are made with 100 percent cotton sourced from American farms for a lightweight and breathable feel. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 All of the additional ingredients are sourced from local artisan food makers, including Charlie’s Best Bread, Venissimo cheese, Hani’s Lamb Farm in Poway, Cafe Moto coffee and seafood from South Bay Fishery. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 Such garments are often sourced from scrap materials, including yoga mats and leftover fabrics from other costumes. Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2024 The iPhone 13, for example, has nearly 200 parts sourced from more than a dozen countries. Aziz Huq, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024 Non-bottled water is sourced from an onboard cold water tank, which provides water for the entire plane, from the toilets to the galleys. Julia Buckley, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Modern orchestration software, along with a multi-source strategy—which lends itself to multiple clouds—can allow enterprises to get the most value out of their data. Quentin Clark, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022 Our allergen-friendly Plant Protein Powder is a premium quality, multi-source plant protein blend that contains 20g of protein per serving. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2022 For example, throughout Daughter there’s persistent use of non-source music, (a theme from Bela Bartok’s Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta). Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022 Having a multi-source strategy in place and several suppliers supporting the same supply base in different regions is always a smart move. Mahesh Nandyala, Forbes, 25 July 2022 The journey towards this new initiative was filled with legal and political drama, though the ultimate result codifies the multi-cloud, multi-source strategy. Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021 Survey results show that 73% of respondents are likely to co-source critical activities with the next 24 months. Rose Celestin, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'source.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sours, from Anglo-French surse spring, source, from past participle of surdre to rise, spring forth, from Latin surgere — more at surge

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of source was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near source

Cite this Entry

“Source.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/source. Accessed 27 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

source

noun
ˈsō(ə)rs,
ˈsȯ(ə)rs
1
a
: a force that gives rise to something : cause
a source of strength
b
: a point where something begins
c
: a person or a publication that supplies information
2
: the beginning of a stream of water
the source of the Nile
3
: a firsthand document or main reference work

Legal Definition

source

noun
1
: a point of origin
the source of the conflict
2
: one that supplies information
a journalist's source

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