fountain

1 of 2

noun

foun·​tain ˈfau̇n-tᵊn 

1

: the source from which something proceeds or is supplied

2

: a spring of water issuing from the earth

3

: an artificially produced jet of water

also : the structure from which it rises

4

: a reservoir containing a liquid that can be drawn off as needed

5

: soda fountain sense 2

fountain

2 of 2

verb

fountained; fountaining; fountains

intransitive verb

: to flow or spout like a fountain

transitive verb

: to cause to flow like a fountain

Synonyms

Noun

• cradle
• font
• fountainhead
• origin
• root
• seedbed
• source
• spring
• well
• wellspring

Examples of fountain in a Sentence

Noun

The crowd gathered around the fountain in the plaza.

an endless fountain of inspiration

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The Armani/Lounge, stretching across the front of the hotel, offers front-row seats to the fountain shows over afternoon tea or evening cocktails. —Joe Niehaus, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2024

In the main dining room, the star of the show is the grand fountain in the shape of a lotus flower, which according to OASES, symbolizes purity through its ability to rise from the mud unstained. —Emma Kershaw, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Verb

Rather than volcanic eruptions from a central peak, volcanoes of the Reykjanes often fountain from these fissures, creating floods of molten rock that look a bit like tiger stripes on a map. —Maya Wei-Haas, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Feb. 2024

Tucked between the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library and City Hall, Mineral Well Plaza will feature a 40-foot-tall clock tower and fountain with sculptures of lion heads, seating areas and landscaping. —Dallas News, 15 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French funtaine, fontaine, from Late Latin fontana, from Latin, feminine of fontanus of a spring, from font-, fons

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing fountain

• drinking fountain
• fountain grass
• fountain of youth
• fountain pen
• soda fountain
• water fountain

Kids Definition

fountain

noun

foun·​tain

ˈfau̇nt-ᵊn

1

: a spring of water coming from the earth

2

: the source from which something comes

a fountain of knowledge

3

: an artificial stream or spray of water (as for drinking or ornament)

also : the device from which such a stream or spray rises

Etymology

Noun

Middle English fountain "fountain," from early French funtaine (same meaning), derived from Latin font-, fons "fountain, spring" — related to font entry 1