source

source

noun

Definition of SOURCE

1

a point or place at which something is invented or provided <we were uncertain as to the source of the rumors> <a source of inspiration>

Synonyms cradle, font, fountain, fountainhead, origin, root, seedbed, spring, well, wellspring

Related Words beginning, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go (also git-go), inception, incipience, incipiency, kickoff, launch, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold; baseline, first base, ground zero, square one

2

the beginning part of a stream <19th-century explorers who sought the source of the Nile>

Synonyms head, headstream, source

Related Words fountain, fountainhead, geyser, headspring, hot spring, spring, wellspring; branch, feeder, tributary

3

something mentioned in a text as providing related and especially supporting information <the professor asked the students to have at least five different sources for their papers>

Synonyms authority, source

Related Words citation, excerpt, extract, quotation; caption, cross-reference, footnote, note