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

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: adaptability, ingenuity

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

Derived Forms

• reˈsourcelessness, noun
• reˈsourceless, adjective

Other Words From

• re·sourceless adjective
• re·sourceless·ness 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

Classes and sometimes entire schools for gifted students often had richer curricula and more resources.

From Los Angeles Times

He has described the military support as a drain on US resources and has signalled he will end the war, without explaining how this would happen.

From BBC

However, there is limited statistical data on the composition, abundance, and distribution of the fisheries' resources, which is crucial for effective management.

From Science Daily

Mark writes about his experience using ketamine online and is well-connected to existing resources, so he was able to rapidly find another provider.

From Salon

Foraging for resources is an essential process for the daily life of an ant colony, and ants will self-organize using chemical pheromones.

From Science Daily

Related Words

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