Resource

/ˈriːsɔːrs/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonGeneral
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

A supply of something that can be used, especially to support oneself or to achieve a goal.

/ˈriːsɔːrs/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively.

The library is a valuable resource for students.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a LEGO castle. You need bricks, instruction manuals, and maybe even a helper friend! Those are your resources. Anything you use to make something happen is a resource.

👶 For kids: Things you need to help you do something, like money, helpers, or tools.

More Examples

2

We need to allocate our resources carefully.

3

The country has abundant natural resources.

How It's Used

Business

"The company has invested heavily in its human resources."

Environment

"Sustainable development aims to protect natural resources."

2

To supply with something that can be drawn upon when needed; to provide with resources.

/rɪˈsɔːrs/

verbneutralmedium
General

To provide with resources; to supply with the means of doing something.

The company is well-resourced to handle the expansion.

💡 Simply: Imagine giving a friend everything they need to start a lemonade stand: lemons, sugar, a table, and some cups. You're resourcing them, giving them the things they need to succeed.

👶 For kids: To give someone what they need to do something.

More Examples

2

They need to resource the project with more funding.

3

The hospital must be adequately resourced to deal with the influx of patients.

How It's Used

Education

"The school aims to resource its teachers with the latest technology."

Business

"The project was fully resourced from its inception."

Tip:To 're-source' means to provide the necessary stuff.
3

A person, or thing providing assistance or support.

/ˈriːsɔːrs/

nounneutralmedium
General

A person or thing that can be turned to for help or support.

The librarian is a great resource for finding information.

💡 Simply: If you get stuck on homework, your older sibling or a tutor could be a resource – someone you can go to for help.

👶 For kids: Someone or something that can help you.

More Examples

2

The internet has become a valuable resource for research.

3

Her experience in the field makes her a significant resource for our team.

How It's Used

General

"The teacher was a valuable resource for the students."

Emergency

"The phone book was our only resource when we were lost."

Tip:A re-source of help.

Idioms & expressions

a resource for

A person or thing that provides assistance or support for a particular purpose.

"The website is a great resource for learning new languages."

human resources

The department of a company that deals with the hiring, administration, and training of employees.

"She works in human resources."

From French *ressource*, from Old French *ressource* (source, means of escape), from *ressourcir* (to provide again), from *re-* (again) + *sourcir* (to arise, spring up).

The word 'resource' has been used since the 16th century, initially to denote a means of getting out of a difficulty. Its usage expanded with industrialization and the need to manage various assets.

Memory tip

Think of a 're-source' - something you can go back to for help.

Word Origin

LanguageFrench
Original meaning

"to provide again; source, means of escape"

natural resourceshuman resourcesvaluable resourcefinancial resourcesprovide resourcesallocate resourceslimited resourcesa resource for

Common misspellings

reourceresourseresoruce

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written