resource

noun

re·​source ˈrē-ˌsȯrs 

-ˌzȯrs, 

ri-ˈsȯrs, 

-ˈzȯrs

1

a

: a source of supply or support : an available means

—usually used in plural

b

: a natural source of wealth or revenue

—often used in plural

c

: a natural feature or phenomenon that enhances the quality of human life

d

: computable wealth

—usually used in plural

limited financial resources

e

: a source of information or expertise

The library is a useful resource for research.

2

: something to which one has recourse in difficulty : expedient

3

: a possibility of relief or recovery

4

: a means of spending one's leisure time

5

: an ability to meet and handle a situation : resourcefulness

a worker of tremendous resource

During his illness he discovered inner resources he didn't know he had.

Synonyms of resource

• opportunity

Choose the Right Synonym for resource

resource, resort, expedient, shift, makeshift, stopgap mean something one turns to in the absence of the usual means or source of supply.

resource and resort apply to anything one falls back upon.

exhausted all of their resources

a last resort

expedient may apply to any device or contrivance used when the usual one is not at hand or not possible.

a flimsy expedient

shift implies a tentative or temporary imperfect expedient.

desperate shifts to stave off foreclosure

makeshift implies an inferior expedient adopted because of urgent need or allowed through indifference.

old equipment employed as a makeshift

stopgap applies to something used temporarily as an emergency measure.

a new law intended only as a stopgap

Examples of resource in a Sentence

Oil is essentially their only resource.

The computer laboratory is an essential resource for students.

Recent Examples on the Web

At 30, the Asian American is an anomaly in an industry in which the average crabber is nearly twice his age and has far more resources. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

Together, a collaborative effort can create meaningful operational changes, including improved staffing, hospital-wide throughput initiatives, earlier discharge planning, expanded post-acute care resources, and greater accountability from leadership. —Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026

The zoo’s petition cites several objections to data centers that have been hotly debated nationwide, including their impact on electricity and water resources. —David Ingram, NBC news, 6 June 2026

Conditions are improving as international partners surge resources to the area, but for weeks, hospitals wards have been overwhelmed with patients and far from enough equipment to care for them – or healthcare workers – properly. —Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 6 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French ressource, from Old French ressourse relief, resource, from resourdre to relieve, literally, to rise again, from Latin resurgere — more at resurrection

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing resource

• natural resource
• uniform resource locator
• universal resource locator

Kids Definition

resource

noun

re·​source ˈrē-ˌsō(ə)rs 

-ˌzō(ə)rs, 

-ˌsȯ(ə)rs, 

-ˌzȯ(ə)rs;

ri-ˈsō(ə)rs, 

-ˈzō(ə)rs, 

-ˈsȯ(ə)rs, 

-ˈzȯ(ə)rs

1

a

: a new or a reserve source of supply or support

b

plural : a usable stock or supply (as of money, products, or energy)

mineral resources

c

: natural resource

2

: the possibility of relief or recovery

left helpless without resource

3

: the ability to meet and deal with difficult situations