resource

[ree-sawrs, -sohrs, -zawrs, -zohrs, ri-sawrs, -sohrs, -zawrs, -zohrs]

noun

1. a source of supply, support, or aid, especially one that can be readily drawn upon when needed.

   Synonyms: service, help, assistance, support, aid

2. resources, the collective wealth of a country or its means of producing wealth.

3. Usually resources money, or any property that can be converted into money; assets.

   Synonyms: wealth, riches, deep pockets, property, money, funds, cash, capital

4. Often resources an available means afforded by the mind or one's personal capabilities.

   to have resource against loneliness.

5. an action or measure to which one may have recourse in an emergency; expedient.

   Synonyms: device, shift, resort, recourse, means, contrivance

6. capability in dealing with a situation or in meeting difficulties.

   a woman of resource.

   Synonyms: ingenuity, adaptability

resource

/ -ˈsɔːs, rɪˈzɔːs /

noun

1. capability, ingenuity, and initiative; quick-wittedness

   a man of resource

2. (often plural) a source of economic wealth, esp of a country (mineral, land, labour, etc) or business enterprise (capital, equipment, personnel, etc)

3. a supply or source of aid or support; something resorted to in time of need

4. a means of doing something; expedient

Other Word Forms

• resourcelessness noun
• resourceless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of resource¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from French ressource, Old French ressourse, noun derivative of resourdre “to rise up,” from Latin resurgere, equivalent to re- re- + surgere “to rise up, lift”; resurge, source

Word History and Origins

Origin of resource¹

C17: from Old French ressourse relief, from resourdre to rise again, from Latin resurgere , from _re- + surgere to rise

Example Sentences

Credited for making Oregon State competitive in the Pac-12 despite limited resources, Smith needs to show he can do something similar with the Spartans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Swinney said the Scottish government was taking all the steps it can within its resources to ensure NHS performance matches the expectations of the public.

Read more on BBC

Whereas for the Incas the route was a way to impose order, for the Spanish it became a means of extracting resources—another common reason that geographic links are forged.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Likewise, companies should expect managers to spot people’s unique strengths and place them in better-fitting roles; that job shouldn’t be left to human resources.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Carney said officials have spoken with private-sector investors about the possibility of a Keystone XL revival, as well as other resource projects.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ability 
• capability 
• capital 
• means 
• property 
• reserve 
• source 
• support 
• system 
• talent 
• wealth