TOP

Definition of resource noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

resource

noun
 
/rɪˈsɔːs/,
 
/rɪˈzɔːs/
 
/ˈriːsɔːrs/,
 
/rɪˈsɔːrs/
jump to other results
  1. [countable, usually plural] a supply of something that a country, an organization or a person has and can use, especially to increase their wealth
    • the exploitation of minerals and other natural resources
    • They promote the use of renewable resources like soybean oil.
    • water/mineral/energy resources
    • The school does the best it can with limited resources (= money).
    • a valuable/precious/scarce resource
    • Think carefully about how you allocate resources.
    • We agreed to pool our resources (= so that everyone gives something).
    • Police have had to devote more resources to these cases.
    Collocations The environmentThe environmentEnvironmental damage
    • cause/​contribute to climate change/​global warming
    • produce pollution/​CO2/greenhouse (gas) emissions
    • damage/​destroy the environment/​a marine ecosystem/​the ozone layer/​coral reefs
    • degrade ecosystems/​habitats/​the environment
    • harm the environment/​wildlife/​marine life
    • threaten natural habitats/​coastal ecosystems/​a species with extinction
    • deplete natural resources/​the ozone layer
    • pollute rivers and lakes/​waterways/​the air/​the atmosphere/​the environment/​oceans
    • contaminate groundwater/​the soil/​food/​crops
    • log forests/​rainforests/​trees
    Protecting the environment
    • address/​combat/​tackle the threat/​effects/​impact of climate change
    • fight/​take action on/​reduce/​stop global warming
    • limit/​curb/​control air/​water/​atmospheric/​environmental pollution
    • cut/​reduce pollution/​greenhouse gas emissions
    • offset carbon/​CO2 emissions
    • reduce (the size of) your carbon footprint
    • achieve/​promote sustainable development
    • preserve/​conserve biodiversity/​natural resources
    • protect endangered species/​a coastal ecosystem
    • prevent/​stop soil erosion/​overfishing/​massive deforestation/​damage to ecosystems
    • raise awareness of environmental issues
    • save the planet/​the rainforests/​an endangered species
    Energy and resources
    • conserve/​save/​consume/​waste energy
    • manage/​exploit/​be rich in natural resources
    • dump/​dispose of hazardous/​toxic/​nuclear waste
    • dispose of/​throw away litter/(especially British English) rubbish/(especially North American English) garbage/(North American English) trash/​sewage
    • use/​be made from recycled/​recyclable/​biodegradable material
    • recycle bottles/​packaging/​paper/​plastic/​waste
    • promote/​encourage recycling/​sustainable development/​the use of renewable energy
    • develop/​invest in/​promote renewable energy
    • reduce your dependence/​reliance on fossil fuels
    • get/​obtain/​generate/​produce electricity from wind, solar and wave power/​renewable sources
    • build/​develop a (50-megawatt/​offshore) wind farm
    • install/​be fitted with/​be powered by solar panels
    see also human resources
    Extra Examples
    • Lack of resources has prevented the company from investing in new technology.
    • More resources need to be committed to the development.
    • Resources are being poured into the Olympic site.
    • The Olympics may stretch the country's resources to breaking point.
    • What a criminal waste of resources.
    • Water is a scarce resource in this part of the world.
    • We do not have the resources (= money) to update our computer software.
    • It is up to the government to put sufficient resources into the scheme.
    • They may not have adequate resources for their own retirement needs.
    • Shrimp farming competes with rice production for land and water resources.
    • They passed a constitutional reform that put all mineral resources in public hands.
    • As a manager you develop plans, allocate resources, control processes.
    • They are focusing their resources on improving the infrastructure.
    • We need to manage our resources better.
    • Green architecture tries to conserve important resources like water, land, and energy.
    • The plant consumed vast timber resources.
    • We'll get by if we pool our resources.
    • the government's role in diverting resources into social policies
    • to mobilize resources in the community to provide shelter for homeless people
    • We must make the most efficient use of the available financial resources.
    • Make proper use of the resources available.
    Topics The environmentb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • abundant
    • considerable
    • enormous
    verb + resource
    • be rich in
    • have
    • lack
    resource + noun
    • centre/​center
    • base
    • guide
    phrases
    • access to resources
    • the allocation of resources
    • the distribution of resources
    See full entry
  2. [countable] something that can be used to help achieve an aim, especially a book, equipment, etc. that provides information for teachers and students
    • The website is an invaluable educational resource.
    • This is an online resource for anyone interested in digital design.
    • The library is a vast resource for historians of medieval France.
    • Time is your most valuable resource, especially in examinations.
    • resource books for teachers
    • a library resource centre
    Extra Examples
    • The database could be used as a teaching resource in colleges.
    • Williams' text is also a useful resource for college writing instructors.
    • The online directory is a new way to access an age-old resource.
    • The company installs a firewall to prevent outsiders from accessing its private data resources.
    • The Institute's website offers many free information resources online.
    • The photographs will provide an invaluable visual resource for students, artists and scholars.
    • The NHS can be used as a research resource, for example in population genetics.
    • The site features a resource guide for people interested in self-publishing.
    • The firm acts as an international resource centre, a library of new materials providing information on developments in technology.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • abundant
    • considerable
    • enormous
    verb + resource
    • be rich in
    • have
    • lack
    resource + noun
    • centre/​center
    • base
    • guide
    phrases
    • access to resources
    • the allocation of resources
    • the distribution of resources
    See full entry
  3. resources
    [plural] personal qualities such as courage and imagination that help you deal with difficult situations
    • He has no inner resources and hates being alone.
    • She is someone of considerable personal resources.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • abundant
    • considerable
    • enormous
    verb + resource
    • be rich in
    • have
    • lack
    resource + noun
    • centre/​center
    • base
    • guide
    phrases
    • access to resources
    • the allocation of resources
    • the distribution of resources
    See full entry
  4. Word Originearly 17th cent.: from obsolete French ressourse, feminine past participle (used as a noun) of Old French dialect resourdre ‘rise again, recover’ (based on Latin surgere ‘to rise’).
See resource in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee resource in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
dizzy
adjective
 
 
From the Topic
Health problems
C1
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day