open-source

adjective

ˈō-pən-ˈsȯrs 

1

a

of software : having the source code freely available for possible modification and redistribution

an open-source operating system

b

: of, relating to, or promoting open-source software

the open-source movement/community

Instead, they opted for the open-source model, in which computer code is openly shared, allowing programmers to modify, improve and fix the software.

—Steve Lohr

2

a

: publicly available for use by the community at large

open-source images

The team uses open-source materials such as obituaries in local newspapers and cemetery visits for its count.

—Brendan Hoffman

b

: relating to or utilizing information that is publicly available

an open-source analysis

Since the advent of the internet, social media and smartphones, open-source intelligence has undergone a revolution as people willingly and publicly post vast amounts of information online. Actors outside of the traditional intelligence community have begun to take notice.

—Nick Waters

Examples of open-source in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adim embraces the open-source ethos found in the tech sector to spark a different approach to content creation. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 9 July 2024

Some technologists argue that open-source AI encourages innovation and reduces the monopoly power of the biggest tech companies. —Billy Perrigo, TIME, 8 July 2024

Pérez said his lab will release the models and research behind the assistant as open-source technology, where the code is shared freely. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Europe, 4 July 2024

Camden was captured on video in the crowd, and, about 20 minutes after rioters initially breached the Capitol, Camden was seen on open-source and police body cam footage approaching a bike rack barricade separating Capitol police from the rioters, according to the government's statement of facts. —Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 2 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 2