resource

UK: /rɪˈzɔː^rs/

US: /ˈrisɔrs/

US: (rē′sôrs, -sōrs, -zôrs, -zōrs, ri sôrs′, -sōrs′, -zôrs′, -zōrs′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•source /ˈrisɔrs/   n. 

1. a source of supply, support, or aid, esp. one held in reserve:
   [countable] She is an important resource in the college because she knows how to solve so many different problems.
2. the source of wealth of a country:
   [countable] rich in natural resources.
3. Usually, resources. [plural] money or assets:
   What resources do you have to be able to afford such a house?
4. capability in dealing with a situation:
   [uncountable] a woman of resource.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•source  (rē′sôrs, -sōrs, -zôrs, -zōrs, ri sôrs′, -sōrs′, -zôrs′, -zōrs′), n. 

1. a source of supply, support, or aid, esp. one that can be readily drawn upon when needed.
2. resources, the collective wealth of a country or its means of producing wealth.
3. Usually, resources. money, or any property that can be converted into money;
   assets.
4. Often, resources. an available means afforded by the mind or one's personal capabilities:
   to have resource against loneliness.
5. an action or measure to which one may have recourse in an emergency;
   expedient.
6. capability in dealing with a situation or in meeting difficulties:
   a woman of resource.

• Latin resurgere, equivalent. to re- re- + surgere to rise up, lift; see resurge, source
• French ressource, Old French ressourse, noun, nominal derivative of resourdre to rise up
• 1640–50

re•source′less, adj. 
re•source′less•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 5. resort.
• 5. means, contrivance, shift.
• 6. inventiveness, adapability, ingenuity, cleverness.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

resource / rɪˈzɔːs -ˈsɔːs/ noun

1. capability, ingenuity, and initiative; quick-wittedness: a person of resource and generosity
2. (often plural) a source of economic wealth, esp of a country (mineral, land, labour, etc) or business enterprise (capital, equipment, personnel, etc)
3. a supply or source of aid or support; something resorted to in time of need
4. a means of doing something; expedient

Etymology: 17th Century: from Old French ressourse relief, from resourdre to rise again, from Latin resurgere, from re- + surgere to rise

reˈsourceless adjective