source

noun

\ ˈsȯrs

Definition of source

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : a generative force : cause

b(1) : a point of origin or procurement : beginning

(2) : one that initiates : author also : prototype, model

(3) : one that supplies information

2a : the point of origin of a stream of water : fountainhead

b archaic : spring, fount

3 : a firsthand document or primary reference work

4 : an electrode in a field-effect transistor that supplies the charge carriers for current flow — compare drain, gate

source

verb

sourced; sourcing

Definition of source (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to specify the source of (something, such as quoted material)

2 : to obtain from a source metals sourced from abroad

source

adjective

Definition of source (Entry 3 of 3)

: of, relating to, or being source code a source file

Other Words from source Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about source

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Choose the Right Synonym for source

Noun

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence. origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being. an investigation into the origin of baseball source applies more often to the point where something springs into being. the source of the Nile the source of recurrent trouble inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes. the business has been a success since its inception root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned. the real root of the violence

Examples of source in a Sentence

Noun

The college had its own power source. She has been a great source of strength to me. His job is the family's main source of income. A government source spoke to the press today. The reporter has refused to reveal his sources. According to one source, the program will not cost a lot. information from various intelligence sources

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In a January report that used commercial satellite imagery and other open-source data, the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, Calif., identified six factories thought to be linked to North Korea’s missile program. — Andrew Jeong, WSJ, "North Korea Keeps Stockpiling Materials to Make Nuclear Weapons, Report Finds," 12 Feb. 2019 Two, in some of these places where WhatsApp becomes a source of every horrible rumor in these third-world banana republics these days. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "Full Q&A: NBC journalists Chuck Todd, Andrea Mitchell and Hallie Jackson on Recode Decode," 5 Dec. 2018 The best underappreciated online source of vintage furnishings is: Etsy. — Allison Duncan, WSJ, "The Expert’s Guide to Scoring Décor Deals Online," 14 Feb. 2019 Meghan is still in the clear, and consulted doctors beforehand, the source adds to BAZAAR. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Will Travel to Morocco with Prince Harry While Seven Months Pregnant," 8 Feb. 2019 In 2011, the primary source of IP address space, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), ran out of freely available 32-bit IPv4 addresses. — Popular Mechanics, "The Death of the Internet," 7 Feb. 2019 Yet another theory compares tinnitus to chronic pain syndrome, according to the NIDCD, a condition where someone continues to feel pain after the initial source of pain (like a broken bone) heals. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Is Tinnitus?," 30 Jan. 2019 Walnuts are one of the best food sources for melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body clock for a better night's sleep. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Pear & Walnut Salad," 21 Dec. 2018 The collective list of 773 million email addresses from several sources, published to the cloud storage service MEGA, was reported by Troy Hunt, the owner of the HaveIBeenPwned website, which indexes hacked information. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "'Collection #1' reveals 773 million email addresses, passwords in one of largest data breaches ever," 17 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Her new lodge at Blackberry Mountain, which incorporates locally sourced wood and sandstone into a modern aesthetic, represents the resort’s latest evolution. — Vanessa Gregory, ELLE Decor, "A Recently Renovated Mid-Century Home in Knoxville, Tennessee," 7 Feb. 2019 The report outlining this new engine project is badly sourced, but the basic idea fits in with Taiwan’s other unusual attempts to study old military technology to develop new equipment. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Taiwan is Reverse-Engineering Fighter Jet Engines To Power a Cruise Missile," 3 Jan. 2019 The theater's management started a crowd-sourcing campaign with Kickstarter and raised $70,000 in just two months, with owners John and Barb Bendall paying the difference. — Morgan Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee's neighborhood theaters endure as competition grows," 15 Feb. 2018 Today brings the launch of Derek Lam + eBay, the designer's crowd-sourced collection for the online giant. — Veronique Hyland, Harper's BAZAAR, "Now Online: Derek Lam + eBay Goes on Sale Today!," 10 May 2011 Quartermaster Eatery This restaurant goes to Herculean heights to ensure that everything on the menu is made from scratch, natural or organic, and sourced from ethical ranches and fisheries. — Todd Plummer, Vogue, "Hard to Get to, Harder to Leave: Why Revelstoke, B.C. Is Skiing’s Hottest Destination Right Now," 22 Feb. 2019 Russia, under sanction for the occupation of the Crimea and other activities by NATO and the United States, is also likely having trouble sourcing parts. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russia to Receive First New 'Armata' Tanks in 2019," 13 Feb. 2019 Herrington comes from the Amazon Retail side of the business, where Amazon sources products itself and acts as a seller. — Jason Del Rey, Recode, "An Amazon revolt could be brewing as the tech giant exerts more control over brands," 29 Nov. 2018 And all that seemed like a simple task compared to sourcing a left-turning Rolls Royce V-12 Merlin engine. — Chris Clarke, Popular Mechanics, "Super-Rare XP-82 Twin Mustang Flies Again After Decade-Long Restoration," 4 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'source.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.