WordGarden.iosource
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɔːs/
US
- /ˈsɔrs/
Meanings
Noun
the origin, cause, or place something comes from
a person, document, or organization that provides information
the place where a river or stream begins
More meaningsFewer meanings
the original program text before compilation or processing
Verb
to obtain something from a supplier or place of origin
Beyond the definition
Imagine a river: it has a source, the place where it begins. But the word is not only about water. It can mean where something comes from, like information (a reliable news source), energy (solar power is a renewable source), or ideas (Shakespeare is a source of many stories). If your grandmother's apple pie is amazing, you could say she is the source of that goodness.
Think of it as the starting point of something. A detective looks for sources to solve a mystery, and historians study primary sources, like letters and diaries, to understand the past. Sometimes source also means something that provides what is needed, as when a factory is a source of jobs for a town.
The word source describes the point of origin or beginning of something, whether it's physical, informational, or abstract. Just as a spring is the source of a river, a source provides what comes after. This could be incredibly literal: "The Amazon River's source is in the Andes Mountains."
But source extends far beyond geography. In journalism and research, a source is a person or document that provides information. A reliable source is important for accurate reporting: "According to a government source, new regulations are expected next week."
It can also refer to a supply of something: "Oil is a major energy source." Or the origin of an idea or feeling: "Shakespeare remains a rich source of inspiration for playwrights today." In computer programming, source code refers to the human-readable instructions that tell a computer what to do.
Figuratively, we can talk about someone being "the source" of trouble (meaning they cause it) or happiness (meaning they bring it). So, whether you're tracing a river back to its beginning, checking information with an expert, or simply naming where something comes from, source points to the basic origin or supply behind it.
Examples
- 1
River origin
The river’s source is high in the mountains.
- 2
Learning materials
This website is a good source of free practice materials.
- 3
Local economy
Tourism is the town’s main source of income.
- 4
Reliable information
Always check whether the information comes from a reliable source.
- Phrasefrom a reliable source
from someone or something you can trust
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Police leak
The police would not reveal the source of the leak.
- 6
Cause of problem
We still haven’t found the source of the problem.
- Patternsource of + problem
the thing or person that causes it
- 7
Inside information
According to sources close to the company, more job cuts are coming.
- Phrasesources close to + organization
people with inside information
- 8
Renewable energy
The factory now gets most of its power from renewable sources.
- 9
Supply chain
We source all our vegetables from local farms.
- Patternsource something from + place/supplier
get it from that place or supplier
See also
Similar
- origin
- starting point
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- source of information
- reliable source
- primary source
- source of income
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- sourcenounverb
Forms
- sourcespluralnounverb
- sourcedpast tenseverbnoun
- sourcing-ing formverbnoun