You are on page 1of 3

source

noun
\ ˈsȯrs \
Definition of source
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a: a generative force : CAUSE
b(1): a point of origin or procurement : BEGINNING
(2): one that initiates : AUTHORalso : PROTOTYPE, MODEL
(3): one that supplies information
2a: the point of origin of a stream of water : FOUNTAINHEAD
barchaic : SPRING, FOUNT
3: a firsthand document or primary reference work
4: an electrode in a field-effect transistor that supplies the charge carriers
for current flow— compare DRAIN, GATE

source
verb
sourced; sourcing
Definition of source (Entry 2 of 3)
transitive verb
1: to specify the source of (something, such as quoted material)
2: to obtain from a sourcemetals sourced from abroad

source
adjective
Definition of source (Entry 3 of 3)
: of, relating to, or being source codea source file
Other Words from sourceSynonymsChoose the Right
SynonymMore Example SentencesLearn More
about source
Other Words from source
Noun

sourceless \ ˈsȯrs-ləs \ adjective

Synonyms for source


Synonyms: Noun

cradle, font, fountain, fountainhead, origin, root, seedbed, spring, well, wellspring
Visit the Thesaurus for More

Choose the Right Synonym for source


Noun

ORIGIN, SOURCE, INCEPTION, ROOT mean the point at which something


begins its course or existence. ORIGIN applies to the things or persons from
which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating
before the thing itself comes into being. an investigation into the origin of
baseball SOURCE applies more often to the point where something springs
into being. the source of the Nile the source of recurrent
trouble INCEPTION stresses the beginning of something without implying
causes. the business has been a success since
its inception ROOT suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often
not easily discerned. the real root of the violence

Examples of source in a Sentence


Noun

The college had its own power source. She has been a great source of
strength to me.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun


All issues after that will be republished content culled from 67 years of
publication, and MAD will continue to publish books and special collections,
multiple sources told The Post.— Michael Cavna, Washington Post, "MAD magazine, a
pioneer of modern satire, will soon cease publishing new content," 4 July 2019The
buyer, sources told The Times, is music and movie mogul David Geffen.—
Jack Flemming, latimes.com, "David Geffen drops $30 million on an empty acre in prime
Beverly Hills," 3 July 2019
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect
current usage of the word 'source.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of
Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
See More

First Known Use of source


Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1959, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for source


Noun

Middle English sours, from Anglo-French surse spring, source, from past
participle of surdre to rise, spring forth, from Latin surgere — more at SURGE
lpasFIghlglgjb,hbm

You might also like