open-source

adjective

ˈō-pən-ˈsȯrs 

1

a

of software : having the source code freely available for possible modification and redistribution

an open-source operating system

b

: of, relating to, or promoting open-source software

the open-source movement/community

Instead, they opted for the open-source model, in which computer code is openly shared, allowing programmers to modify, improve and fix the software.

—Steve Lohr

2

a

: publicly available for use by the community at large

open-source images

The team uses open-source materials such as obituaries in local newspapers and cemetery visits for its count.

—Brendan Hoffman

b

: relating to or utilizing information that is publicly available

an open-source analysis

Since the advent of the internet, social media and smartphones, open-source intelligence has undergone a revolution as people willingly and publicly post vast amounts of information online. Actors outside of the traditional intelligence community have begun to take notice.

—Nick Waters

Examples of open-source in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the rising success of open-source competitors like DeepSeek has pressured Baidu into reconsidering. —Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering open-source software, PC gaming, home automation, repairability, e-bikes, and tech history. —ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2025

Maybe the game’s biggest blessing and potential undoing is its open-source ethos, which allows anyone to access the code and sculpt endless fanmade mods. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2025

The vessel, analyzed by open-source intelligence monitors, is significantly larger and more heavily armed than many current IRGC naval assets, indicating a potential expansion of Tehran's maritime ambitions as regional tensions rise and the third round of U.S.-Iran talks approaches. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for open-source

• counterforce
• intercourse
• nonrecourse
• reinforce
• watercourse
• bourse
• coarse
• course
• force
• gorse
• hoarse
• horse