crowdsourcing

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

[edit] English

The term “crowdsourcing” is considered a neologism based on standardized Wiktionary criteria. Neologisms are newly acknowledged terms. They typically have not been in circulation long enough or widely enough for their social status to be determined. Neologisms can be nonces, slang terms, or even illiteracies. The citation of “crowdsourcing” may be restricted to certain other contexts that have not been fully investigated, such as industry jargon or regional use. The term may not generally be understood even within those contexts.

[edit] Etymology

Coined 2006 by Wired magazine writer Jeff Howe. From crowd + sourcing, by analogy with outsourcing.

[edit] Noun

crowdsourcing (uncountable)

1. delegating a task to a large diffuse group, usually without monetary compensation
   • June 2006, Jeff Howe, Wired Magazine 14.06, "The Rise of Crowdsourcing" [1]:

   "P&G is one of InnoCentive’s earliest and best customers, but the company works with other crowdsourcing networks as well."

   • January 2007, Jessi Hempel, Business Week, "Tapping the Wisdom of the Crowd":

   "While not a new phenomenon, crowdsourcing is really growing as a business trend."

   • July 2007, Twisted, comp.lang.java.programmer:

   "Costs can be reduced by crowdsourcing more content."