source

play

noun \ ˈsȯrs \

Definition of source

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

play \ˈsȯrs-ləs\ adjective

See source defined for English-language learners

See source defined for kids

Examples of source in a Sentence

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 of source from the Web

If Auburn hadn't agreed to a recent contract extension with Clint Myers, which several news outlets reported earlier this summer with Myers himself as the source, why did Auburn wait till now to correct that mistake?

— kevin scarbinsky, AL.com, "Jay Jacobs fails to communicate on Clint Myers and Auburn softball," 30 Aug. 2017
The plan was revealed in May and presented as a sole source contract to Burns & McDonnell.

— steve vockrodt and lynn horsley the kansas city star, kansascity, "A pair of new squabbles delays KCI contract selection," 29 Aug. 2017
Delise cautioned that if the distributors in Maryland are asked to send their product elsewhere in the United States, like Texas, where their sole source of gasoline is the refineries along the Gulf of Mexico, prices locally could go up even more.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Donation drive planned in Bel Air Wednesday to aid Harvey victims," 29 Aug. 2017
Scientists are now working with police to determine the source of the mist, according to Ben Farmer of the The Telegraph.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "A Mysterious Chemical Cloud Descended on the British Coast," 29 Aug. 2017
A league source tells the Miami Herald that Albert has no desire to play anymore.

— adam h. beasley, miamiherald, "The reason Branden Albert is not an option for linemen-needy Miami Dolphins," 27 Aug. 2017
Alton Strupp/The Courier-Journal Louisville Metro Council members have pledged to pursue alternative sources of funding to raise money required to negate the need to charge for parking at Waterfront Park five days a week.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Metro Council pledges to try to raise money to prevent parking fees at Waterfront Park," 25 Aug. 2017
While this recommendation came from a reliable source, the ensuing headlines may not tell the full story.

— the good housekeeping institute, Good Housekeeping, "Should You Really Buy the Microsoft Surface?," 24 Aug. 2017
If adopted, the energy purchasing function would transfer from SDG&E to the city, so the latter can decide which types of energy sources to purchase, including renewables like wind and solar energy.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Forum to focus on City of San Diego's energy options," 23 Aug. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of source

Middle English sours, from Anglo-French surse spring, source, from past participle of surdre to rise, spring forth, from Latin surgere — more at surge

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

source Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Related Words

beginning, commencement, dawn, day one, genesis, get-go (also git-go), inception, incipience, incipiency, kickoff, launch, morning, nascence, nascency, onset, outset, start, threshold; baseline, first base, ground zero, square one

Synonym Discussion of 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

source

verb

Definition of source

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

Recent Examples of source from the Web

California-sourced beer and wine flights or the French Champagne flight will be offered.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Please sir, I want s'more. San Diego restaurants celebrate classic campfire treat," 9 Aug. 2017
Tania Carver—are adopting female pen names: While exact numbers are hard to source, women readers have come to dominate fiction …

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Daily: Mueller It Over," 3 Aug. 2017
And current and former Wired writers chimed in on Twitter to say that the section is sourced from the entire staff.

— claire landsbaum, The Cut, "Wired’s New Issue Was Written Almost Entirely by Men, But Includes a Cute Little Note Thanking Women," 3 Aug. 2017
An eight-acre garden produces all the fruits, vegetables and herbs used by the chefs; the meat is locally sourced from across Ireland.

— by brian melton, star-telegram, "Mind Your Manor: Ireland’s Ballyfin showcases 19th century country estate chic," 2 Aug. 2017
Besides Skippy, E-Mart sells artisanal earthen cookware, age-defying face emulsions sourced from rare snail slime, fine rice wine, and perfectly ripe watermelons accompanied by well-engineered, complimentary straw satchels.

— Longreads, "My Mongolian Spot," 1 Aug. 2017
Spoto sourced police reports and statements given by Monroe’s staff and her publicist, but his theory hasn’t picked up any traction in the years since. 5.

— peggy truong, Cosmopolitan, "The Craziest Conspiracy Theories About Marilyn Monroe's Death," 27 July 2017
A firm called MyMiniFactory, which is based in London, works on behalf of brands to source high-quality 3D digital models from individuals for corporate websites.

— The Economist, "Model citizenThe spread of 3D models creates intellectual-property problems," 20 July 2017
To conduct the research, scientists sourced 10 photos from Google and altered six of them with image editing software.

— giorgia guglielmi, Science | AAAS, "Can you tell whether this photo has been manipulated?," 17 July 2017

First Known Use of source

1957

source

adjective

Definition of source

:of, relating to, or being source code

a source file

First Known Use of source

1959

SOURCE Defined for English Language Learners

source

play

noun

Definition of source for English Language Learners

: someone or something that provides what is wanted or needed
: the cause of something (such as a problem)
: a person, book, etc., that gives information

SOURCE Defined for Kids

source

play

noun \ ˈsȯrs \

Definition of source for Students

1 :a cause or starting point

the source of a rumor

2 :the beginning of a stream of water

the source of the Nile River

3 :someone or something that supplies information

a reference source

4 :someone or something that provides what is needed

a source of supplies

a source of strength

Law Dictionary

source

noun

legal Definition of source

1 :a point of origin

the source of the conflict

2 :one that supplies information

a journalist's source

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See words that rhyme with source Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for source Spanish Central: Translation of source Nglish: Translation of source for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of source for Arabic speakers

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Definition of source

sourceless

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Examples of source in a Sentence

Recent Examples of source from the Web

Origin and Etymology of source

source Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of source

source

Definition of source

Recent Examples of source from the Web

First Known Use of source

source

Definition of source

First Known Use of source

SOURCE Defined for English Language Learners

source

Definition of source for English Language Learners

SOURCE Defined for Kids

source

Definition of source for Students

Law Dictionary

source

legal Definition of source

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