Definition of “resource” - English Dictionary

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“resource” in English

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resourcenoun

uk ​ /rɪˈzɔːs/ /ˈriː.sɔːs/ us ​ /ˈriː.sɔːrs/ /ˈriː.zɔːrs/

B2 [ C usually plural ] a useful or valuable possession or quality of a country, organization, or person:

The country's greatest resource is the dedication of its workers.
Britain's mineral resources include coal and gas deposits.

› [ U ] formal for resourcefulness

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

have inner resources

resourceverb [ T ]

uk ​ /rɪˈzɔːs/ /ˈriː.sɔːs/ us ​ /ˈriː.sɔːrs/ /ˈriː.zɔːrs/
resourced
adjective uk ​ /rɪˈzɔːst/ /ˈriː.sɔːst/ us ​ /ˈriː.sɔːrst/ /ˈriː.zɔːrst/

›

It is widely acknowledged that the welfare system is under-resourced.

(Definition of “resource” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“resource” in American English

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resourcenoun [ C ]

us ​ /ˈriˌsɔrs, -ˌzɔrs/

› something that can be used to help you:

The library was a valuable resource, and he frequently made use of it.

› Resources are natural substances such as water and wood which are valuable in supporting life:

[ pl ] The earth has limited resources, and if we don’t recycle them we use them up.

› Resources are also things of value such as money or possessions that you can use when you need them:

[ pl ] The government doesn’t have the resources to hire the number of teachers needed.

(Definition of “resource” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“resource” in Business English

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resourcenoun

uk ​ /rɪˈzɔːs, ˈriːsɔːs/ us ​ /ˈriːsɔrs/

› [ C, usually plural ] a useful or valuable possession or quality that a person or organization has, for example, money, time, or skills:

have the resources to do sth The company has the resources and infrastructure to manage a global brand.
We lack the resources to do the job properly.
limited/scarce resources The department has limited resources, and would struggle to cope in such a situation.
pool/share resources When times are hard we are asked to pool our resources, but it doesn't always work.
financial/capital resources
IT/technical resources

› [ C, usually plural ] NATURAL RESOURCES a useful or valuable possession, such as oil or gas, that a country has and that can be sold:

natural/energy/water resources All plastics that are created annually consume 2 to 4% of America's energy resources.
Despite being rich in resources like timber and minerals, the country's outlook is bleak.

› [ U ] also resourcefulness the ability to make decisions and act on your own:

He has great resource.
See also
human resource
natural resources

resourceverb [ T ]

uk ​ /rɪˈzɔːs/ us ​ /ˈriːsɔrs/

› to provide an organization or department with money or equipment:

The department was chronically overstretched and seriously under-resourced.

(Definition of “resource” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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