1
2
a
: the point of origin of a stream of water : fountainhead
3
: a firsthand document or primary reference work
sourced; sourcing
1
: to specify the source of (something, such as quoted material)
2
: to obtain from a source
metals sourced from abroad
: of, relating to, or being source code
a source file
Synonyms
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
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2023
Social media struck him as an opportunity to spread knowledge from a reliable source.
—Emma Fox, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2023
Scenes like this are becoming increasingly common across Europe as ski resorts, feeling the impact of the climate crisis, look to diversify their appeal and tap into alternative sources of income.
—WIRED, 18 Sep. 2023
The source of that continued tension, experts say, is unaddressed anguish from both Black men who deal with rigid views of masculinity and Black women who feel neglected in light of demeaning stereotypes pinned to them.
—Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2023
In addition to the $1 million in Measure X money, the city has obtained about $6 million so far in funding from other sources.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023
Climate and the fight of our lives With a sweltering heat wave in Massachusetts not far behind us, new research is finding that periods of heat and humidity so great that humans cannot survive without sources of cooling are likely coming much sooner than previously believed.
—Sabrina Shankman, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2023
In the continuing resolution, the Department of Defense and Military Construction and Veteran Affairs appropriations bills will be funded at the current fiscal year 2023 levels, where everything else will receive an 8% cut, according to the source.
—Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2023
Ukrainian grain exports are both a vital source of foreign exchange for the country and a crucial factor in global food markets, particularly for countries in Africa and the Middle East that are facing hunger.
—Vivek Shankar, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023
Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2023
In comparison, Tesla’s 2022 Impact Report (PDF) provides more detail in its breakout of the automaker’s work to source more of its minerals directly and then audit its suppliers for compliance.
—Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 17 Sep. 2023
The heavy cotton is sourced in Australia and comes in a handful of serene shades that will match any bathroom decor (including hues like cream, gray, and charcoal).
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2023
Russia already sources drones — a cheap but effective weapon designed to wear down Ukraine’s air defenses — from Iran, another Western adversary.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2023
The Lavia-Garcias’ boutique plant shop offers an assortment of succulents and other plants such as fiddle leaf, pathos, peperomia and calico kitten crassula sourced from local nurseries.
—Anna Braz, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Precious Metals Available Gold Silver Palladium Platinum Minimum Investment
$50,000
Company Background
Augusta Precious Metals, founded in 2012, specializes in silver bullion, silver coins, and gold bullion, while platinum and palladium investments must be sourced elsewhere.
—Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
The plant is set to begin production of high-power Vertex modules using 210 mm wafers in 2024, sourcing polysilicon from the U.S. and Europe, the company said.
—Mitchell Parton, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023
The sustainably sourced, Argentinian pebbled leather is certified by the Leather Working Group, which means that it’s tanned in an environmentally responsible way.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023
Quentin Clark, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Our allergen-friendly Plant Protein Powder is a premium quality, multi-source plant protein blend that contains 20g of protein per serving.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2022
For example, throughout Daughter there’s persistent use of non-source music, (a theme from Bela Bartok’s Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta).
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022
Having a multi-source strategy in place and several suppliers supporting the same supply base in different regions is always a smart move.
—Mahesh Nandyala, Forbes, 25 July 2022
The journey towards this new initiative was filled with legal and political drama, though the ultimate result codifies the multi-cloud, multi-source strategy.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021
Survey results show that 73% of respondents are likely to co-source critical activities with the next 24 months.
—Rose Celestin, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021
See More
Noun
That's when Michael became concerned, knowing that scores more boxes were in the storage room, sources said.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2023
Social media struck him as an opportunity to spread knowledge from a reliable source.
—Emma Fox, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2023
Scenes like this are becoming increasingly common across Europe as ski resorts, feeling the impact of the climate crisis, look to diversify their appeal and tap into alternative sources of income.
—WIRED, 18 Sep. 2023
The source of that continued tension, experts say, is unaddressed anguish from both Black men who deal with rigid views of masculinity and Black women who feel neglected in light of demeaning stereotypes pinned to them.
—Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2023
In addition to the $1 million in Measure X money, the city has obtained about $6 million so far in funding from other sources.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023
Climate and the fight of our lives With a sweltering heat wave in Massachusetts not far behind us, new research is finding that periods of heat and humidity so great that humans cannot survive without sources of cooling are likely coming much sooner than previously believed.
—Sabrina Shankman, BostonGlobe.com, 17 Sep. 2023
In the continuing resolution, the Department of Defense and Military Construction and Veteran Affairs appropriations bills will be funded at the current fiscal year 2023 levels, where everything else will receive an 8% cut, according to the source.
—Reese Gorman, Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2023
Ukrainian grain exports are both a vital source of foreign exchange for the country and a crucial factor in global food markets, particularly for countries in Africa and the Middle East that are facing hunger.
—Vivek Shankar, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023
Verb
But these reductions only hold if workers implement strategies such as turning off unnecessary lights and appliances, driving an electric vehicle or sourcing their home electricity from solar panels or wind turbines.
—Joanna Thompson, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2023
In comparison, Tesla’s 2022 Impact Report (PDF) provides more detail in its breakout of the automaker’s work to source more of its minerals directly and then audit its suppliers for compliance.
—Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 17 Sep. 2023
The heavy cotton is sourced in Australia and comes in a handful of serene shades that will match any bathroom decor (including hues like cream, gray, and charcoal).
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2023
Russia already sources drones — a cheap but effective weapon designed to wear down Ukraine’s air defenses — from Iran, another Western adversary.
—Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2023
The Lavia-Garcias’ boutique plant shop offers an assortment of succulents and other plants such as fiddle leaf, pathos, peperomia and calico kitten crassula sourced from local nurseries.
—Anna Braz, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Precious Metals Available Gold Silver Palladium Platinum Minimum Investment
$50,000
Company Background
Augusta Precious Metals, founded in 2012, specializes in silver bullion, silver coins, and gold bullion, while platinum and palladium investments must be sourced elsewhere.
—Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023
The plant is set to begin production of high-power Vertex modules using 210 mm wafers in 2024, sourcing polysilicon from the U.S. and Europe, the company said.
—Mitchell Parton, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023
The sustainably sourced, Argentinian pebbled leather is certified by the Leather Working Group, which means that it’s tanned in an environmentally responsible way.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023
Adjective
Modern orchestration software, along with a multi-source strategy—which lends itself to multiple clouds—can allow enterprises to get the most value out of their data.
—Quentin Clark, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2022
Our allergen-friendly Plant Protein Powder is a premium quality, multi-source plant protein blend that contains 20g of protein per serving.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 4 Dec. 2022
For example, throughout Daughter there’s persistent use of non-source music, (a theme from Bela Bartok’s Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta).
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022
Having a multi-source strategy in place and several suppliers supporting the same supply base in different regions is always a smart move.
—Mahesh Nandyala, Forbes, 25 July 2022
The journey towards this new initiative was filled with legal and political drama, though the ultimate result codifies the multi-cloud, multi-source strategy.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021
Survey results show that 73% of respondents are likely to co-source critical activities with the next 24 months.
—Rose Celestin, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'source.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English sours, from Anglo-French surse spring, source, from past participle of surdre to rise, spring forth, from Latin surgere — more at surge
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1957, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1959, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of source was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing source
Dictionary Entries Near source
Cite this Entry
“Source.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/source. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
source
nounˈsō(ə)rs,
ˈsȯ(ə)rs
1
a
: a force that gives rise to something : cause
a source of strength
b
: a point where something begins
c
: a person or a publication that supplies information
2
: the beginning of a stream of water
the source of the Nile
3
: a firsthand document or main reference work
Legal Definition
source
noun1
: a point of origin
the source of the conflict
2
: one that supplies information
a journalist's source
More from Merriam-Webster on source
Nglish: Translation of source for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of source for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share