mountain

noun

moun·​tain ˈmau̇n-tᵊn 

often attributive

1

a

: a landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill

The sun set behind the mountains.

b

: an elongated ridge

2

a

: a great mass

a mountain of a man

—E. K. Brown

b

: a vast number or quantity

a mountain of mail

a mountain of debt

Synonyms

• alp
• hump
• mount
• peak

Examples of mountain in a Sentence

She watched the sun set behind the mountains.

a cabin in the mountains

They both like mountain climbing.

We've received a mountain of mail.

Recent Examples on the Web

One foot of snow has already hit the mountains west of Redding, California. ABC News' Marilyn Heck contributed to this report. —Max Golembo, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2024

Meanwhile, back in Mosser’s neighborhood, community members were working to fill in the road just enough so that her husband and son could safely get down off the mountain to be with her. —Michelle Boudin, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

Its Denver taproom puts drinkers at the center of the action near Union Station, and its newest locations in Basalt and Aspen seek to feed thirsty outdoors people after their adventures in the mountains. —Tiney Ricciardi, The Denver Post, 19 Nov. 2024

The primary suite occupies the top floor and is adorned with skylights that offer plenty of natural light and views of both the city and the mountains. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English montaine, monteine, mounteyne, borrowed from Anglo-French muntaine, monteigne, mountaigne "elevated region, mountain range, mountain" (also continental Old French, Middle French montagne), going back to Vulgar Latin *montānea, from Latin mont-, mons "mountain, hill" + Vulgar Latin *-ānea, collective suffix, from neuter plural of Latin -āneus (from -ānus -an entry 2 + -eus -eous) — more at mount entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mountain

• acute mountain sickness
• American mountain ash
• Bernese mountain dog
• cat-a-mountain
• European mountain ash
• make a mountain out of a molehill
• mountain ash
• mountain bicycle
• mountain bike
• mountain biking
• mountain bluebird
• mountain chain
• mountain coati
• mountain cranberry
• mountain dew
• mountain goat
• mountain gorilla
• mountain laurel
• mountain lion
• mountain mahogany
• mountain man
• mountain sheep
• mountain sickness
• mountain time
• snow-on-the-mountain
• Welsh mountain pony

Kids Definition

mountain

noun

moun·​tain ˈmau̇nt-ᵊn 

1

: an elevation higher than a hill

2

: a great mass or huge number

a mountain of mail