source

noun \ ˈsȯrs \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: source in a Sentence

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

Bats, skunks and foxes are the main sources of rabies in Arizona, ADHS said.

— angela forburger, azcentral, "Rabies cases on the rise in Arizona, health officials warn," 20 June 2018
Bies and his team could identify the source of the deformed bullet as an Enfield rifle musket.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "Newly Unearthed Civil War Bones Speak Silently to the Grim Aftermath of Battle," 20 June 2018
Traditionally, a foodborne illness diagnosis (determined by a stool sample) is reported to local and state health departments that work with the CDC try to drill down to the source of the pathogen.

— corilyn shropshire, chicagotribune.com, "Food recalls explained: Why it seems like food contamination is on the rise," 19 June 2018
The complexity of the conflict and Mr. Assad’s determination to maintain power have perpetuated the war, making Syria the leading source of refugees in 2017.

— megan specia, New York Times, "The Five Conflicts Driving the Bulk of the World’s Refugee Crisis," 19 June 2018
In other words, Ochi and others contend that if something is indeed amiss in Harvard’s admissions office, the source of the problem is implicit bias.

— alia wong, The Atlantic, "Harvard's Impossible Personality Test," 19 June 2018
The negotiations themselves obscure the entire source of responsibility.

— jonathan chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Why Trump Is Using Hostage Tactics on Family Separation," 18 June 2018
The transportation sector accounts for the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state — about 35 to 40 percent.

— rob nikolewski, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Stanford researcher says $776.5M for electric transportation may end up burning utility customers," 16 June 2018
According to the source, Newark Central TE-LB Mohammed Kamara visited Temple on Saturday.

— marc narducci, Philly.com, "Temple football receives commitment from Egg Harbor Township's Yvandy Rigby," 16 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

source Synonyms

Synonyms

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

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

Ingredients aside, one of the benefits of using natural products is that most, if not all, ingredients are ethically-sourced and cruelty-free.

— tynan sinks, Allure, "The Best Natural and Organic Makeup Brands That Makeup Artists Actually Use," 6 June 2018
Those are the challenges of sourcing anything from the developing world.

— Fortune, "How the World's Largest Chocolate Maker Is Spending $1 Billion to Fight Climate Change," 5 June 2018
The two Italian-American restaurant brands could streamline methods for buying products or sourcing supply chains, for example.

— janelle nanos, BostonGlobe.com, "Bertucci’s has been bought by Planet Hollywood owner," 5 June 2018
The authority says spending sourced to those 42 million visitors was estimated at $34.8 billion that same year.

— NBC News, "Possible Las Vegas casino workers strike looms as contracts set to expire," 1 June 2018
It should be noted that La2 Mooshi sources its meat fresh from a halal butcher daily, but not all cuts are always available.

— mark kurlyandchik, Detroit Free Press, "Review: Dearborn's La2 Mooshi Grill melds Lebanese and Brazilian," 31 May 2018
His constant trashing of the media, while repugnant, has been effective to the extent that his supporters don’t really believe what’s in well-sourced, legitimate stories.

— bill goodykoontz, azcentral, "A year after 'covfefe': Twitter is Trump's greatest tool," 30 May 2018
Whole Foods opened an uber lush home decor shop called Plant & Plate sourced with tons of local products in its new Bridgewater, NJ location.

— candace braun davison, House Beautiful, "Take A Look Inside Whole Foods' New Home Shop, Plant & Plate," 30 May 2018
Wealthier families will also struggle but are better able to weather the storm, drawing on savings and sourcing some scarce goods — such as medication — from overseas, Batmanghelidj said.

— ramin mostaghim, latimes.com, "The return of U.S. sanctions is expected to sow misery in Iran. But for those with money, there's a haven: dollars," 29 May 2018

First Known Use of source

1957

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

source

adjective

Definition of source

: of, relating to, or being source code

a source file

First Known Use of source

1959

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SOURCE Defined for English Language Learners

source

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

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

Learn More about source

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

Examples of source in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of source

source Synonyms

Synonyms

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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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