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

The executive order signed by the president allows for more resources to be thrown at countering the flow of fentanyl. —Luke Barr, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2025

For the Americans, there was the curiosity of seeing how far the Chinese could go with resources that simply didn’t exist here. —Colin Jones, New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2025

Thursday's indictments alleged that one man registered a company to help channel state resources to the families of children with autism. —Jonah Kaplan, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

Researchers are exploring additional ways to extract value from geothermal resources, including using algae found in underground water. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Dec. 2025

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