# resource

/ˈɹisɔɹs/ (US) · /ɹɪzˈɔːs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/resource
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. materials or money

noun · CEFR B1 · General-service

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

For teachers: 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 country has many natural resources like oil and timber.
- 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. learning materials

noun · CEFR B1 · Academic

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

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

- The library is an excellent resource for students writing their final papers.
- Teachers are encouraged to share digital resources to ensure that all students have access to high-quality primary source materials.

### 3. personal strength

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

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

- Left alone in the woods, he had to rely on his own resources to survive.
- The crisis tested her inner resources, forcing her to find a level of patience she didn't know she possessed.

### 4. computing

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

- The new software uses too many system resources and makes my laptop slow.
- The administrator allocated additional server resources to handle the expected spike in web traffic during the holiday sale.

### 5. to provide supplies

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

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

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

- The school is not well resourced and needs more computers.
- 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.

## Examples

- The library is a great resource for students.
- The project failed because the team did not have the financial resources to finish the final stage.
- Effective management of natural resources requires a delicate balance between immediate economic gain and the long-term preservation of the local ecosystem for future generations.

---

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.