Which is a common definition of the noun 'source'?

• A. The place in which something originates or which someone comes from
• B. A person who gives orders
• C. A type of report
• D. A chemical compound

Answer: (A)

In everyday use, a source is the origin—the starting point from which something comes, whether it's the place where it begins or the person who provides it. That makes the description about a place in which something originates or from which someone comes a natural fit for the noun. For example, the source of a river is where its waters originate, and you might also talk about the source of information as the place or person that provides the facts.

The other ideas don’t fit as the common meaning of source. A person who gives orders is more like a boss or commanding figure, not the origin of something. A type of report is a document type, not an origin. A chemical compound is a substance, not an origin of something.