I. re ‧ source 1 S2 W1 AC /rɪˈzɔːs, -ˈsɔːs $ ˈriːsɔːrs/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: French ; Origin: ressource , from Old French resourdre 'to rise again, relieve' , from Latin resurgere ; ⇨ ↑ resurgence ]
1 . LAND/OIL/COAL ETC [countable usually plural] something such as useful land, or minerals such as oil or coal, that exists in a country and can be used to increase its wealth:
Canada’s vast mineral resources
a country rich in natural resources
2 . MONEY/PROPERTY ETC resources [plural] all the money, property, skills etc that you have available to use when you need them:
She had no financial resources.
Only limited resources are available to the police.
pool your resources (=put together all the resources that each of you can provide) ⇨ ↑ human resources
3 . PERSONAL QUALITIES resources [plural] personal qualities, such as courage and determination, that you need to deal with a difficult situation:
He proved that he has considerable inner resources.
4 . EDUCATIONAL [countable] something such as a book, film, or picture used by teachers or students to provide information:
resources for learning
a valuable new computer resource
resource room/centre
5 . PRACTICAL ABILITY [uncountable] formal the ability to deal with practical problems SYN resourcefulness :
a man of great resource
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + resource
▪ natural resources
We support the sustainable use of natural resources.
▪ mineral resources
This area is rich in mineral resources.
▪ energy resources
The country has few energy resources of its own.
▪ water resources
Botswana expressed growing concern over its dwindling water resources.
▪ oil resources
oil resources in the North Sea
▪ a renewable resource (=one that replaces itself naturally, or is easily replaced)
Trees are a renewable resource.
▪ a non-renewable resource
We should reduce our use of non-renewable resources.
▪ a finite resource (=one which is limited in amount, so that it will no longer exist if people continue to use it)
Crude oil is a finite resource.
▪ a national resource
High-quality agricultural land is a national resource.
■ verbs
▪ use resources
Modern products use fewer natural resources.
▪ exploit resources
He exploited the mineral resources which he found under his lands.
▪ tap resources (=take them from an area)
Several nations are eager to tap the mineral resources in Antarctica.
■ phrases
▪ be rich in resources
Swaziland is rich in natural resources.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ have resources
Do the police have the resources they need?
▪ use resources ( also make use of resources )
We must use our resources efficiently.
▪ waste resources
We cannot afford to waste our resources on fighting each other.
▪ allocate resources (=give them to a particular person, organization etc)
I spoke to the official who was in charge of allocating the funds.
▪ pool your resources (=put together the resources that each of you have)
They decided to pool their resources and buy a business together.
■ adjectives
▪ financial/economic resources
Lack of financial resources can result in homelessness.
▪ material resources
Most people lack the material resources to be able to deal with periods of unemployment.
▪ limited/scarce resources
We have very limited resources.
▪ available resources
The aim was to make use of all available resources.
II. re ‧ source 2 AC /rɪˈzɔːs, -ˈsɔːs $ -ˈsɔːrs/ BrE AmE verb [transitive usually passive]
to provide money or other resources for something:
The program wasn’t adequately resourced.