# data source

CEFR B2 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/data-source
Updated: 2026-08-05

## Definition

the place where information comes from, such as a database, a document, or a person.

For teachers: the primary location or origin from which information is retrieved for processing or analysis. In technical contexts, it refers to the specific system or file that provides input to a program or report.

## Examples

- The main data source for this report is the company website.
- Before starting the analysis, we must ensure that every data source is reliable and up to date.
- The researchers integrated multiple data sources, including satellite imagery and ground-level sensors, to create a comprehensive model of the urban environment.

## Usage notes

- often used in technical, business, or academic contexts when discussing research and statistics.
- Teaching tip: help students distinguish between the 'source' (where it starts) and the 'resource' (the tool used to get it); 'data source' is a standard collocation in IT and social sciences.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.