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
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Diana Dasrath, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2023
Toxic exposure This study is a reminder of the continuing need for protections against exposure to harmful airborne dusts and other dangerous substances from sources like toxic burn pits.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Nov. 2023
Researchers say the heavy metal contaminants identified in this study come from urban waste, mining operations and other runoff, which means reducing the amount of pollutants going into the ocean from these sources could help protect the turtles.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
The pro basketball player’s sentiments echo what a source previously told PEOPLE.
—Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
The grand jury in recent weeks issued a subpoena to James Biden, the brother of President Joe Biden, as part of their work investigating Hunter Biden, a source familiar with the matter said.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023
Business plays a critical role in the energy transition away from fossil fuels like oil and coal to renewable sources like wind and solar.
—John Kell, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2023
According to one of the sources, Primo is signing a two-year contract, and the second year can be fully guaranteed in June.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023
Payment imbalances a source of tension In recent years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which administers the Medicare program, has made changes to address some of the payment imbalances between primary care and specialist services.
—Michelle Andrews, CBS News, 15 Nov. 2023
Liam Hess, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
Most of the additional records The Post used for this reporting were sourced from Refinitiv and Kpler, a platform that tracks global energy commodities.
—Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
Bringing lithium extraction stateside could make a big difference for EV automakers that want to produce batteries here in the US, as most of them currently source lithium from other countries, including Australia, Argentina, Chile, and China.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 13 Nov. 2023
In September the brand released Circular C, which features a bezel and dial made from recycled carbon fibers sourced from wind turbine manufacturing waste.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Nov. 2023
Murray's Cheese Board Club 3-Month Subscription Even Cheeses Need Friends
Mixed Fruit From Frog Hollow Farm
No cheeseboard is complete without fresh fruit, but sourcing the good stuff during the winter can be tough.
—Devra Ferst, Bon Appétit, 10 Nov. 2023
In the coming weeks, the Biden administration is expected to issue more rules about when these parts can be sourced from China and other countries, which are likely to determine where many companies base new projects.
—Coral Davenport, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023
This was the experience for many Second Sight patients, as Spectrum reported in 2022, some of whom resorted to home repairs or sourcing Argus II components from other users.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Nov. 2023
Her time at Celine was also marked by high-end goods (though more attainable than those in her eponymous label), which sent aspiring consumers and members of the fashion elite into a frenzy, trying to be the first to acquire them or actively sourcing them on resale platforms.
—Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 1 Nov. 2023
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
See More
Noun
Special prosecutors in New Mexico were scheduled to convene the grand jury Thursday, but the judge rescheduled it during a teleconference hearing Wednesday, a source familiar with the case said.
—Diana Dasrath, NBC News, 17 Nov. 2023
Toxic exposure This study is a reminder of the continuing need for protections against exposure to harmful airborne dusts and other dangerous substances from sources like toxic burn pits.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 16 Nov. 2023
Researchers say the heavy metal contaminants identified in this study come from urban waste, mining operations and other runoff, which means reducing the amount of pollutants going into the ocean from these sources could help protect the turtles.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
The pro basketball player’s sentiments echo what a source previously told PEOPLE.
—Alexis Jones, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
The grand jury in recent weeks issued a subpoena to James Biden, the brother of President Joe Biden, as part of their work investigating Hunter Biden, a source familiar with the matter said.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023
Business plays a critical role in the energy transition away from fossil fuels like oil and coal to renewable sources like wind and solar.
—John Kell, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2023
According to one of the sources, Primo is signing a two-year contract, and the second year can be fully guaranteed in June.
—Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023
Payment imbalances a source of tension In recent years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which administers the Medicare program, has made changes to address some of the payment imbalances between primary care and specialist services.
—Michelle Andrews, CBS News, 15 Nov. 2023
Verb
Murray Orr Photo: Murray Orr That the objects give back to the communities they’re sourced from is also a selling point for many of Bard’s loyal customers.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
Most of the additional records The Post used for this reporting were sourced from Refinitiv and Kpler, a platform that tracks global energy commodities.
—Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023
Bringing lithium extraction stateside could make a big difference for EV automakers that want to produce batteries here in the US, as most of them currently source lithium from other countries, including Australia, Argentina, Chile, and China.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 13 Nov. 2023
In September the brand released Circular C, which features a bezel and dial made from recycled carbon fibers sourced from wind turbine manufacturing waste.
—Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Nov. 2023
Murray's Cheese Board Club 3-Month Subscription Even Cheeses Need Friends
Mixed Fruit From Frog Hollow Farm
No cheeseboard is complete without fresh fruit, but sourcing the good stuff during the winter can be tough.
—Devra Ferst, Bon Appétit, 10 Nov. 2023
In the coming weeks, the Biden administration is expected to issue more rules about when these parts can be sourced from China and other countries, which are likely to determine where many companies base new projects.
—Coral Davenport, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023
This was the experience for many Second Sight patients, as Spectrum reported in 2022, some of whom resorted to home repairs or sourcing Argus II components from other users.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Nov. 2023
Her time at Celine was also marked by high-end goods (though more attainable than those in her eponymous label), which sent aspiring consumers and members of the fashion elite into a frenzy, trying to be the first to acquire them or actively sourcing them on resale platforms.
—Shelcy Joseph, Essence, 1 Nov. 2023
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
See More
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 28 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share