source source /ˈsɔrs/

noun

1. () The place where something begins, where it springs into being  ( rootage , beginning , root , origin , source )
   the place where something begins, where it springs into being
    The Italian beginning of the Renaissance
   the Italian beginning of the Renaissance
    Jupiter was the origin of the radiation
   Jupiter was the origin of the radiation
    Pittsburgh is the source of the Ohio River
   Pittsburgh is the source of the Ohio River
    Communism's Russian root
   communism's Russian root
   
2. () Anything that provides inspiration for later work  ( seed , germ , source )
   anything that provides inspiration for later work
   
3. () A document (or organization) from which information is obtained  ( source )
   a document (or organization) from which information is obtained
    The reporter had two sources for the story
   the reporter had two sources for the story
   
4. () A facility where something is available  ( source )
   a facility where something is available
     The journalist sought a reliable source for the breaking news.
   The journalist sought a reliable source for the breaking news.
   
5. () A person who supplies information  ( informant , source )
   a person who supplies information
     The reliable source provided accurate information for the news article.
   The reliable source provided accurate information for the news article.
   
6. () Someone who originates, causes or initiates something  ( generator , source , author )
   someone who originates, causes or initiates something
    He was the generator of several complaints
   he was the generator of several complaints
   
7. A publication (or a passage from a publication) that is referred to  ( reference , source )
   a publication (or a passage from a publication) that is referred to
    He carried an armful of references back to his desk
   he carried an armful of references back to his desk
    He spent hours looking for the source of that quotation
   he spent hours looking for the source of that quotation
   
8. Anything (a person, animal, plant or substance) in which an infectious agent normally lives and multiplies  ( reservoir , source )
   anything (a person, animal, plant or substance) in which an infectious agent normally lives and multiplies
    An infectious agent depends on a reservoir for its survival
   an infectious agent depends on a reservoir for its survival
   
9. (technology) a process by which energy or a substance enters a system  ( source )
   (technology) a process by which energy or a substance enters a system
    A heat source
   a heat source
    A source of carbon dioxide
   a source of carbon dioxide
   

verb

1. Specify the origin of  ( source )
   specify the origin of
    The writer carefully sourced her report
   The writer carefully sourced her report
   
2. Get (a product) from another country or business  ( source )
   get (a product) from another country or business
    She sourced a supply of carpet
   She sourced a supply of carpet
    They are sourcing from smaller companies
   They are sourcing from smaller companies