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

Photo : Simon Berlyn Two chairs are situated on either side of a serene fountain. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 21 Jan. 2025

Earlier this week, field observations recorded fountain heights reaching up to 330 feet, though activity has since moderated, according to USGS. —David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025

Verb

History, Art, & Culture 10 - There is history behind nearly every building, bench, and fountain on our region’s campuses. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 19 Jan. 2025

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

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