resource

American  

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

noun

• resources
  plural

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

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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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• resourcelessness
  noun
• resourceless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• resources
  plural

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”; see resurge, source

Explanation

A resource is any personal talent or outside supply that can be tapped for help or support. Resource comes from an old French word meaning "relief" or "recovery," which certainly ties in with the idea of a resource being something that offers necessary aid. However, the word resource also refers to the natural resources available in and on our Earth — things that we are constantly drawing on and depleting, such as our trees, ores, and atmosphere. Once such a natural resource is used up, it’s usually gone forever, and is no longer a resource.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

resource resources

Now, however, climate change has turned water into a scarce resource, requiring a shift in thinking, Schneider argued.

From Barron's ● Aug. 13, 2026

It is a naturally derived material and is often discarded as waste by the farming industry, giving it potential as both a renewable and scalable resource.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 12, 2026

As the only full-time medical provider on the island, Catalina Island Health is a vital resource for approximately 4,000 residents and 1 million annual visitors.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

Human resource professionals have expressed outrage on social media.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

The Montana Fish and Game Department registered strong opposition to further spraying, saying it was “not willing to compromise the sport fishery resource for programs of questionable necessity and doubtful success.”

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Jeffery does not rule out needing to call on "police resources to keep the peace" once again.

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

Already a successful publicly traded company thanks to its cash-printing Search business, Google had the financial resources to support DeepMind’s scientific pursuits — for a while, at least.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026

Without evidence of a coordinated effort or plot, it didn’t make sense to put resources into such prosecutions, a former DOJ official who oversaw election cases said.

From Salon ● Aug. 15, 2026

“Our deepest condolences go out to the student’s family and friends during this difficult time. We are providing support resources to those in our community affected by this tragedy.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

For the teachers, they provide music flashcards, lesson plans, music-reinforcing word searches, and many other helpful resources, all in one location.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

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