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

They believe that water and land are becoming scarcer, forcing them to hoard and defend those resources.

From Salon

Other chancellors have aimed to make similar moves, including George Osborne who, in 2015, set out plans for local government schemes to pool resources,

From BBC

He added that he was not going to get into detail at this stage on the "tough choices" the force would face without an increase in resources.

From BBC

The election campaign has been largely peaceful with no reports of poll-related deaths or large scale misuse of government resources.

From BBC

While information within India remains scarce, many women say they are turning to social media and that online resources are often more illuminating than conversations with their doctors.

From BBC

Related Words

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