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

China, meanwhile, is playing both sides: pushing for control at home while promoting open-source AI abroad. —Thomas Adamson and Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025

Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering open-source software, PC gaming, home automation, repairability, e-bikes, and tech history. —Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 11 Feb. 2025

Beijing has promoted open-source AI, arguing that broader accessibility will ensure global AI benefits. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Now, its influence is spreading quickly at home, with some of China’s biggest tech companies, many of which had been developing their own chatbots, racing to incorporate the open-source model into their own services. —John Liu, CNN, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined at sense 2