source

[sawrs, sohrs]

noun

1. any thing or place from which something comes, arises, or is obtained; origin.

   Which foods are sources of calcium?

   Synonyms: originator, supplier

2. the beginning or place of origin of a stream or river.

3. a book, statement, person, etc., supplying information.

   Synonyms: reference, authority

4. the person or business making interest or dividend payments.

5. a manufacturer or supplier.

6. Archaic.,  a natural spring or fountain.

verb (used with object)

sourced, sourcing 

1. to give or trace the source for.

   The research paper was not accurately sourced.

   The statement was sourced to the secretary of state.

2. to find or acquire a source, especially a supplier, for.

   Some of the components are now sourced in Hong Kong.

verb (used without object)

sourced, sourcing 

1. to contract a manufacturer or supplier.

   Many large companies are now sourcing overseas.

2. to seek information about or consider possible options, available personnel, or the like.

   a job recruiter who was merely sourcing.

source

/ sɔːs /

noun

1. the point or place from which something originates

2. 1. a spring that forms the starting point of a stream; headspring

   2. the area where the headwaters of a river rise

      the source of the Nile

3. a person, group, etc, that creates, issues, or originates something

   the source of a complaint

4. 1. any person, book, organization, etc, from which information, evidence, etc, is obtained

   2. ( as modifier )

      source material

5. anything, such as a story or work of art, that provides a model or inspiration for a later work

6. electronics the electrode region in a field-effect transistor from which majority carriers flow into the interelectrode conductivity channel

7. at the point of origin

verb

1. to determine the source of a news report or story

2. to originate from

3. (tr) to establish an originator or source of (a product, piece of information, etc)

Other Word Forms

• sourceful adjective
• sourcefulness noun
• sourceless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of source¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sours (noun), from Old French sors (masculine), sourse, source (feminine), noun use of past participle of sourdre, from Latin surgere “to spring up or forth”; surge

Word History and Origins

Origin of source¹

C14: from Old French sors, from sourdre to spring forth, from Latin surgere to rise

Example Sentences

Filters have been applied to restrict certain types of content on sites including Facebook, Instagram and X, the sources at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology said.

From BBC

In the paper, the team writes, "As woody debris represents a major carbon source in forests, associations with wood-decaying fungi may enhance carbon acquisition, especially in warm, humid habitats."

From Science Daily

But it was clear there was fierce disagreement about the source of these feelings.

From Salon

“It finds an ignition source, and a fire results,” Lipow said.

From Los Angeles Times

Party sources say they are sceptical of Labour's plans to bring down the deficit and doubt the OBR's forecasts will bear out in reality.

From BBC

Related Words

• authority 
• cause 
• expert 
• origin