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

Keep scrolling for more

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

Just stick with unsaturated fat sources like vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. — Marygrace Taylor, Woman's Day, "4 Heart-Healthy Diet Changes Every Woman Should Make," 1 May 2019 Industry sources PCWorld contacted said that the roadmaps appear to be correct, though without confirming specifics. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Leaked Intel roadmaps call Intel's 10nm transition into question yet again," 26 Apr. 2019 So to get actual wind turbines to blossom in the Southeast, the generators themselves have to see their prices shrink further and get better at harnessing more marginal sources of wind. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "4 maps that show who’s being left behind in America’s wind-power boom," 28 Mar. 2019 An anonymous source also told The Daily Beast that the president had complained about losing Twitter followers due to anti-conservative social media purges. — Lucy Diavolo, Teen Vogue, "Donald Trump Met Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Complained About Losing Followers, Reports Say," 24 Apr. 2019 Simultaneously, most of the U.S. media began running stories based on anonymous intelligence sources suggesting the possibility of a link during the previous year’s election between U.S. President-elect Trump and Vladimir Putin. — Daniel Henninger, WSJ, "Escape From Collusion Hell," 17 Apr. 2019 After offering $10,000 to $25,000 per season to players in Year 1, the NWHL scaled back to a $100,000 yearly salary cap and wages reported by news sources at between $2,500 and $10,000. — Geoff Baker, The Seattle Times, "NHL franchise in hand, the push to bring women’s professional hockey to Seattle begins in earnest," 16 Apr. 2019 Plus, using this DHA/EPA source to make supplements shows promising sustainability benefits and may help to decrease overfishing in the U.S. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "The One Nutrient You Probably Aren't Getting Enough Of, According to a Nutritionist," 15 Apr. 2019 President Trump has been mocking wind power as an unreliable source of energy lately. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "4 maps that show who’s being left behind in America’s wind-power boom," 28 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Meanwhile, John’s studio sourced a cravat jacquard in mauve from Charvet, the storied Parisian men’s outfitter, and a selection of textiles in shades of grape and wisteria. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "The Story Behind Hamish Bowles’s Maison Margiela Artisanal by John Galliano Met Gala Look," 8 May 2019 Sierra Nevada runoff and snow water equivalent scenario data sourced from UCLA Center for Climate Science’s Climate Change in the Sierra Nevada project. — Lauren Tierney, Washington Post, "Precipitation whiplash and climate change threaten California’s freshwater," 9 May 2018 Dubbed House 28, the weekend retreat in southeastern Australia was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating three 20-foot shipping containers sourced from nearby Port Melbourne and set on steel silts anchored in concrete piles. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "The 5 best shipping container houses of 2018," 27 Dec. 2018 Hillary Clinton secretly bought a dossier that was sourced to Kremlin operatives. — Fox News, "Will Giuliani's press tour help or hurt the president?," 31 July 2018 Most of the produce comes straight from the restaurant's own on-site hydroponic garden, and all seafood is sustainably sourced. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, "18 Best Restaurants in Boston," 16 July 2018 The Open Call program is a commitment by Walmart to buy an additional $250 billion worth of products made, sourced or grown in the United States over a decade. — Russ Wiles, azcentral, "Coming to Walmart's shelves: Mesa entrepreneur's cooking sauces," 19 June 2018 Commerce has 90-days to review applications and is supposed to decide whether to grant an exclusion based on whether the steel or aluminum product can be sourced in the United States or not. — Heather Long, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Economists say we're not in a full-blown trade war. Yet.," 19 June 2018 Two years ago, Cates and his father, Chris, a cardiologist, sourced grapes across California and launched a product line Wine RayZyn, a raisin snack made with wine grapes. — Ann Trieger Kurland, BostonGlobe.com, "Yummy Wine RayZyns make the most of a bad situation," 18 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.