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 source
   at the point of origin

verb

1. to determine the source of a news report or story
2. trfoll byfrom to originate from
3. tr to establish an originator or source of (a product, piece of information, etc)

Other Words From

• sourceful adjective
• sourceful·ness noun
• sourceless 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

A 2019 New York magazine story outlined Gabbard’s longtime family connections to a Hinduism-derived group called Science of Identity, which one source described as a cult and others said is run by an individual who is attempting to use Gabbard to secure influence with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

From Slate

One source of new funding in UC’s 2025-26 budget plan is tuition increases — a proposed 3.5% for Californians and 9.9% for out-of-state and international students.

From Los Angeles Times

A five-year plan approved by regents in 2021 allows a one-time tuition increase tied to inflation for each class of incoming undergraduates, with no further changes for up to six years to provide a stable source of revenue for campuses and predictable college costs for students.

From Los Angeles Times

Through this project, he said, the city will start using recycled water as a “new source of sustainable, drought-proof drinking water supply.”

From Los Angeles Times

CNN reporter Alayna Tree confirmed that those cheekbones were a major factor in this pick: “Trump also thinks he has the look,” one source told her.

From Salon

Related Words

• authority
• cause
• expert
• origin