source

1 of 3

noun

ˈsȯrs 

1

a

: 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

2

a

: 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

sourceless

ˈsȯrs-ləs 

adjective

source

2 of 3

verb

sourced; sourcing

transitive verb

1

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

2

: to obtain from a source

metals sourced from abroad

source

3 of 3

adjective

: of, relating to, or being source code

a source file

Synonyms

Noun

• cradle
• font
• fountain
• fountainhead
• origin
• root
• seedbed
• spring
• well
• wellspring

Choose the Right Synonym for source

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

Yerevan has since sought to diversify its defense sources, reducing arms imports from Russia to as low as 10 percent by 2024. —Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025

Climate change and shifting food sources are also causing species-wide population declines, the experts said. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 June 2025

Verb

Verità Vodka Italiana is made using 100% Italian wheat and pure mountain spring water sourced from the Alps. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

Expect seafood sourced from nearby Portland and Seattle, as well as local wines and beers. —Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2025

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

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

Phrases Containing source

• open-source
• point source
• primary source
• secondary source
• source code
• source language

Rhymes for source

• bourse
• coarse
• course
• force
• gorse
• hoarse
• horse
• norse
• concourse
• divorce
• endorse
• enforce

Kids Definition

source

noun

ˈsō(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

noun

1

: a point of origin

the source of the conflict

2

: one that supplies information

a journalist's source