source

noun \ ˈsȯrs \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 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

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has filed an open records request to obtain information related to funding sources and warden personnel in the parks.

— paul a. smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin warden shortage and changes in responsibilities raise concerns," 14 July 2018
La Silla Vacía, Colombia’s third-most-influential news source, according to a recent survey, receives 57% of its revenue from grants and 28% from advertising and sponsorships.

— The Economist, "Latin America’s new media are growing up," 14 July 2018
Your financial adviser no longer will count you as an income source.

— peter dunn, USA TODAY, "Pete the Planner: Has your financial adviser failed you? 3 ways to let them know it," 13 July 2018
After running through the story from the novel, season two of the series took off into uncharted waters, where viewers had no source material to refer to for spoilers.

— tony bravo, SFChronicle.com, "Swearing off the dystopia of ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ (spoilers included)," 12 July 2018
Each of the seven categories were weighted and data was taken from a variety of government and education sources to arrive at a score.

— don reisinger, Fortune, "Here Are the Best (and Worst) States to Retire," 12 July 2018
The Phillies are looking for more offense from the left side of the infield, multiple major-league sources confirmed, and have been linked to the Royals’ Mike Moustakas, the Rangers’ Adrian Beltre and, of course, Machado, among others.

— scott lauber, Philly.com, "Phillies' Maikel Franco making a play to stay | Extra Innings," 12 July 2018
Free agent guard Isaiah Thomas has agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets, league sources tell ESPN.

— noel harris, sacbee, "How Isaiah Thomas is reuniting with one of his former Kings coaches 1,200 miles away," 12 July 2018
In May 2016, Common Council members were told the facility would be a place where paper would be shredded, then mulched and sold to entities where it could be turned into energy sources.

— gregory tejeda, Post-Tribune, "Gary recycling facility gets 6-month permit extension; protests continue," 12 July 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

Dishes include a Korean noodle salad, parfait made with summer berries, responsibly sourced striped sea bass, watermelon mojito and lavender coconut cold brew.

— kellie hwang, azcentral, "Oprah invests in True Food Kitchen, former Sam Fox restaurant that started in Phoenix," 11 July 2018
In their quest to unpack parrots’ impressive smarts, researchers at the University of Alberta and the University of Lethbridge sourced 98 samples from the University of Lethbridge’s collection of bird brains—one of the largest in the world.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Unique Brain Circuitry Might Explain Why Parrots Are So Smart," 7 July 2018
The non-profit group has already raised nearly $20,000 in donations and through crowd sourcing to pay for the project.

— gregory b. hladky, courant.com, "No Expensive Caskets. No Toxic Chemicals. 'Green Burials' Growing In Popularity In Connecticut," 6 July 2018
Frozen Gold New Smyrna Beach, Florida Look, hipster places that source milk from cows that only listen to the National and other underground bands have their place.

— ac shilton, Outside Online, "The Best Ice Cream in the U.S.," 5 July 2018
The Sputnik report is thinly sourced, the story attributed to an unnamed source in the Russian defense industry.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Russia’s Aging Bomber Could Sling Mach 10 Missiles," 5 July 2018
Owner Louise Patterson travels the world sourcing exquisite things.

— mosha lundström halbert, Vogue, "The Kenyan Cool Girl’s Guide to Nairobi," 2 July 2018
Harley, the world’s largest manufacturer of heavyweight motorcycles, doesn’t disclose where most of the parts are sourced, but industry sources say the company gets them from the U.S., Japan, Italy, Mexico, China, Australia and other countries.

— lee bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Harley-Davidson motorcycles are classic Americana made with foreign-sourced parts," 28 June 2018
Following the first award, guests including actress Wendie Malick, Ed Begley Jr. and singer/actor Lance Bass dined on an exclusive vegetarian/vegan organic and local sourced menu by Chef Ludovic Lefebvre.

— joelle goldstein, The Hollywood Reporter, "Jane Fonda, Elizabeth Olsen Honored at Environmental Media Association Benefit Gala," 10 June 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

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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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