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resource

n. · v.
US //ˈɹisɔɹs// UK //ɹɪzˈɔːs// re·source
  1. 1 materials or money (n.)
    B1 Intermediate General-service

    a supply of money, materials, or staff that a person or country can use.

    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.

    Example

    The country has many natural resources like oil and timber.

    Example

    The project failed not because of a lack of talent, but because the team lacked the financial resources to see it through to completion.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural form when referring to general assets or natural wealth.

  2. 2 learning materials (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Academic

    a book, website, or piece of equipment that provides information or help.

    a source of information or expertise, such as a textbook or digital tool, used to facilitate learning or research.

    Example

    The library is an excellent resource for students writing their final papers.

    Example

    Teachers are encouraged to share digital resources to ensure that all students have access to high-quality primary source materials.

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  1. 3 personal strength (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    your own ability to help yourself and deal with difficult situations.

    the internal capacity or strength of character to deal with new or difficult situations.

    Example

    Left alone in the woods, he had to rely on his own resources to survive.

    Example

    The crisis tested her inner resources, forcing her to find a level of patience she didn't know she possessed.

  2. 4 computing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    a part of a computer system, like memory or a printer, that a program can use.

    any physical or virtual component of limited availability within a computer system.

    Example

    The new software uses too many system resources and makes my laptop slow.

    Example

    The administrator allocated additional server resources to handle the expected spike in web traffic during the holiday sale.

  3. 5 to provide supplies (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Academic

    to provide a person or project with the money or materials they need.

    to provide an organization or project with the necessary materials, staff, or funds.

    Example

    The school is not well resourced and needs more computers.

    Example

    The government has promised to properly resource the new mental health initiative to ensure its long-term success.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the passive voice or as a past-participle adjective.

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Middle French ressource, from Old French resourse, resource (“a source, spring”), from resourdre, from Latin resurgō (“to rise again, spring up anew”). Equivalent to re- + source. See resourd, resurgent, source.

Etymology 2

From re- + source.

Word family

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