1
2
a
: the point of origin of a stream of water : fountainhead
3
: a firsthand document or primary reference work
sourced; sourcing
1
: to specify the source of (something, such as quoted material)
2
: to obtain from a source
metals sourced from abroad
: of, relating to, or being source code
a source file
Synonyms
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
Patrick Winn, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024
Residents and business owners could be denied a loan for a few reasons, Rosas explained, including if the damage is already covered by their insurance, FEMA or another source.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
But the humor concealed a relentless dedication that could mean long hours grinding away at stories and challenging sources and story subjects to get at the truth, Morrissey and Herald colleagues recalled.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2024
Historical associations are a good source of information.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Review the sources used below for this article: International Encyclopedia of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
Graphics sources: South American and European cocaine seizure data provided by InSight Crime.
—Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
In fashion, sisters have been a longtime source of inspiration for designers.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
His legacy remains a constant source of inspiration.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Jessie Shafer, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Teal’s parent company, Red Cat, had also owned two consumer drone start-ups, Fat Shark and Rotor Riot, which sourced from China to keep their costs down.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The two nations remain dependent on one another technologically, with the US tapping Chinese talent and manufacturing to power its tech industry, and China drawing on inventions and technologies sourced from the West to fuel its own.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2024
The swimsuit, sourced from Tab Vintage, is a piece from Karl Lagerfeld’s spring 1995 collection for Chanel.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
All of these ingredients have been domestically sourced in the United states.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
Watson wore a dark green tux with black tones, custom designed for him by Alba with fabrics sourced from Italy.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
The brand continues to source its components from European firms, notably in Germany and France, which are known for their precision and quality, but the new venue allows L’Atelier Paris Haute Design to maintain a full inventory so that parts are readily available for production and service.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
Nordic Naturals is also Friend of the Sea (FOS) certified, which verifies that their fish are sustainably sourced.
—Isabel Vasquez, Rd, Ldn, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024
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
For example, throughout Daughter there’s persistent use of non-source music, (a theme from Bela Bartok’s Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta).
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022
Having a multi-source strategy in place and several suppliers supporting the same supply base in different regions is always a smart move.
—Mahesh Nandyala, Forbes, 25 July 2022
The journey towards this new initiative was filled with legal and political drama, though the ultimate result codifies the multi-cloud, multi-source strategy.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021
Survey results show that 73% of respondents are likely to co-source critical activities with the next 24 months.
—Rose Celestin, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021
Noun
But one source in particular — the aforementioned ex-leader, a Wa State founding father — did more than anyone else to reveal the strange entanglements between the US government and this indigenous group.
—Patrick Winn, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2024
Residents and business owners could be denied a loan for a few reasons, Rosas explained, including if the damage is already covered by their insurance, FEMA or another source.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024
But the humor concealed a relentless dedication that could mean long hours grinding away at stories and challenging sources and story subjects to get at the truth, Morrissey and Herald colleagues recalled.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2024
Historical associations are a good source of information.
—George Petras, USA TODAY, 13 Apr. 2024
Review the sources used below for this article: International Encyclopedia of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
—Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2024
Graphics sources: South American and European cocaine seizure data provided by InSight Crime.
—Samantha Schmidt, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024
In fashion, sisters have been a longtime source of inspiration for designers.
—Leah Dolan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
His legacy remains a constant source of inspiration.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 12 Apr. 2024
Verb
Theo Chocolate is ethically sourced and made from organic cocoa beans, organic cocoa butter, and organic cane sugar.
—Jessie Shafer, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024
Teal’s parent company, Red Cat, had also owned two consumer drone start-ups, Fat Shark and Rotor Riot, which sourced from China to keep their costs down.
—Eva Dou, Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2024
The two nations remain dependent on one another technologically, with the US tapping Chinese talent and manufacturing to power its tech industry, and China drawing on inventions and technologies sourced from the West to fuel its own.
—Will Knight, WIRED, 11 Apr. 2024
The swimsuit, sourced from Tab Vintage, is a piece from Karl Lagerfeld’s spring 1995 collection for Chanel.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
All of these ingredients have been domestically sourced in the United states.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024
Watson wore a dark green tux with black tones, custom designed for him by Alba with fabrics sourced from Italy.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024
The brand continues to source its components from European firms, notably in Germany and France, which are known for their precision and quality, but the new venue allows L’Atelier Paris Haute Design to maintain a full inventory so that parts are readily available for production and service.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024
Nordic Naturals is also Friend of the Sea (FOS) certified, which verifies that their fish are sustainably sourced.
—Isabel Vasquez, Rd, Ldn, Parents, 4 Apr. 2024
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
For example, throughout Daughter there’s persistent use of non-source music, (a theme from Bela Bartok’s Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta).
—Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Sep. 2022
Having a multi-source strategy in place and several suppliers supporting the same supply base in different regions is always a smart move.
—Mahesh Nandyala, Forbes, 25 July 2022
The journey towards this new initiative was filled with legal and political drama, though the ultimate result codifies the multi-cloud, multi-source strategy.
—Emil Sayegh, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021
Survey results show that 73% of respondents are likely to co-source critical activities with the next 24 months.
—Rose Celestin, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'source.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of source was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing source
Dictionary Entries Near source
Cite this Entry
“Source.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/source. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
source
nounˈsō(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
noun1
: a point of origin
the source of the conflict
2
: one that supplies information
a journalist's source
More from Merriam-Webster on source
Nglish: Translation of source for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of source for Arabic Speakers
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