I. source 1 S2 W1 AC /sɔːs $ sɔːrs/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: sourse , from sourdre 'to rise, spring out' , from Latin surgere ; ⇨ ↑ surge 1 ]
1 . a thing, place, activity etc that you get something from:
They get their money from various sources.
source of
Beans are a very good source of protein.
For me, music is a great source of enjoyment.
at source British English :
Is your pension taxed at source (=before it is paid to you) ?
2 . the cause of something, especially a problem, or the place where it starts
source of
We’ve found the source of the trouble.
The recent name change has been the source of some confusion.
3 . a person, book, or document that supplies you with information:
List all your sources at the end of your essay.
I’ve heard from reliable sources that the company is in trouble.
4 . the place where a stream or river starts ⇨ mouth
5 . technical source code
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COLLOCATIONS
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + source
▪ a good/excellent/rich source (=a source that provides a lot of something)
Milk is a good source of calcium.
▪ a useful source
People said television was their most useful source of local information.
▪ a major/important source
The lead mines were once a major source of employment for the islanders.
▪ a great source
In times of stress, food can be a great source of comfort.
▪ the main/primary source
It started as a hobby, but now it is his main source of income.
▪ an alternative source
The university is exploring alternative funding sources.
▪ an energy source
We hope to see increased usage of renewable energy sources.
▪ a food source
Slugs attack potatoes in late summer, when other food sources are disappearing.
▪ a power source (=something that produces power)
First, you need to turn off the power source.
▪ a light source (=something that produces light)
The statue is illuminated by a hidden light source.
II. source 2 AC BrE AmE verb [transitive] technical
1 . if goods are sourced from a particular place, they are obtained from that place
source from
Fish for the restaurant is sourced daily from British ports.
locally sourced milk
2 . to find out where something can be obtained:
We might be able to source the parts.