a document (or organization) from which information is obtained
"the reporter had two sources for the story"
a facility where something is available
"The local library serves as an excellent source for rare historical documents."
(technology) a process by which energy or a substance enters a system
"a heat source"
"a source of carbon dioxide"
The person, place, or thing from which something (information, goods, etc.) comes or is acquired.
"She decided to check the original source of that rumor before sharing it with her friends."
In plain English: A source is where something comes from or who gives you information.
"The river has its source in the distant mountains."
Usage: Use this word to identify the origin of information, materials, or supplies rather than the cause of an event; avoid confusing it with "source" as a verb when referring strictly to the noun meaning in formal contexts like journalism and research. It frequently collocates with phrases such as "reliable source," "primary source," and "tracing back to its source."
get (a product) from another country or business
"She sourced a supply of carpet"
"They are sourcing from smaller companies"
To obtain or procure: used especially of a business resource.
"The marketing team spent all morning sourcing high-quality images for the new campaign."
In plain English: To source something means to find and get it from where it comes from.
"The new app will source its news directly from trusted journalists."
The word "source" comes from Old French and originally meant a rise or beginning, reflecting its Latin roots related to rising up. It entered English through Middle English while sharing a common ancestor with the modern verb "surge."