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

Getting there will require a policy strategy that favors technological neutrality, harnesses open-source software, prioritizes funding for algorithm and application development research, and has a low barrier of access. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2025

Customers will choose the best technology stack for running the world’s most popular commercial applications and open-source models. —Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025

Another key aspect of Bananatex is its open-source nature, designed to be shared with others to offer a viable alternative to synthetic materials that dominate the bag industry. —Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2025

America can become the global leader and set standards by building open-source models that everyone uses. —MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 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