The word "resource" refers to a source of supply, support, or aid that can be readily drawn upon when needed. It can pertain to materials, funds, or means of various kinds that can be used to help achieve a goal or meet a need. In a broader sense, it encompasses anything that can be utilized to improve quality of life, effectiveness, or efficiency, whether it's natural resources like water and land, human resources like skills and labor, or financial resources like money.
The word "resource" originates from the Middle French term "ressource," which derives from the Latin "resurgere," meaning "to rise again" or "to recover." The prefix "re-" means "again," and "-source" refers to a supply or origin.