resource

American  

[ree-sawrs, -sohrs, -zawrs, -zohrs, ri-sawrs, -sohrs, -zawrs, -zohrs] / ˈri sɔrs, -soʊrs, -zɔrs, -zoʊrs, rɪˈsɔrs, -ˈsoʊrs, -ˈzɔrs, -ˈzoʊrs /

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 British  

/ -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

• resourceless adjective
• resourcelessness noun

Etymology

Origin of resource

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

Example Sentences

But U.S. firms proved reluctant due to the company’s tarnished reputation, in addition to Congo’s poor infrastructure, limited skilled labor, resource nationalism and reputation for government corruption.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Meanwhile, the Ethereum Foundation in March launched a dedicated resource hub for its security-upgrade efforts.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Wireless spectrum—the frequencies that wireless calls and data travel over—is a finite resource that every mobile company needs.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

"They want to see an inclusive school system. The problem is they are just so overstretched, they are being asked to do much more with less resource - it becomes an impossibility."

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

He didn’t mind going to the resource room, anyway.

From "Hello, Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly

Related Words

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