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

• resourceless adjective
• resourcelessness noun

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

It has the history, the fan base, the resources.

From Los Angeles Times

The bill also bars minors from being taken out of state to obtain an abortion and other people, including providers, from providing any patient with information about and resources on how to access abortion care.

From Salon

The federal public defender for Southern California is in charge of a unit that’s always underfunded and perpetually an underdog against the might and resources of the government.

From Los Angeles Times

May says he now thinks about all the immigrants who have not committed any crimes but lack the legal resources to avoid deportation.

From Los Angeles Times

"There, under the night sky, we sat freely - in great faith - with our little lights, holding on to what resources we had," Mr Pareja wrote on Facebook.

From BBC

Related Words

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