# MCP Resource

> Data exposed by an MCP server for a client or model to use as context, identified by a URI.

- Category: Tools & Protocols
- Stage: Rising
- Also called: Resource, Context resource
- Canonical: https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/mcp-resource

## Plain English

It is a file, record, schema, or app-specific object the AI host can intentionally add to context.

## Example

A database MCP server exposes a schema resource so an agent can understand table names before writing a query.

## Why it matters

Resources separate contextual data from executable tools, which helps clients control what the model can see.

## Related

- [MCP Server](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/mcp-server)
- [Context Engineering](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/context-engineering)
- [Tool Result](https://www.joelcsaji.com/ai-dictionary/tool-result)

## Mentioned in

- [iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, watchOS 27 and tvOS 27](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/ios-27-ipados-27-macos-27-watchos-27-tvos-27)
- [The Significance of Data Structures and Algorithms in Modern Computing](https://www.joelcsaji.com/blog/the-significance-of-data-structures-and-algorithms-in-modern-computing)

## Sources

- [MCP: Resources](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2025-11-25/server/resources)