kilde

Kilde is a word used in Danish and Norwegian to mean source or origin. It refers to the source of information, the origin of something, or a starting point. In a hydrological sense, kilde can also denote a spring or fountain that provides water. The term has cognates in related Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish as källa.

In academic and journalistic contexts, kilo is used to indicate where information comes from. Phrases such as kildeliste (list of sources) and kildekritik (source criticism) reflect its role in verifying credibility and tracing origins. In computing, kilde is combined with other words to form terms like kildekode, meaning source code.

Kilde also functions as a surname in the Nordic region and may appear in place names or personal names. As a lexical item, it is versatile across domains, including literature, science, media, and technology, reflecting its broad sense of origin or starting point.