fountain

1 of 2

noun

foun·​tain ˈfau̇n-tᵊn How to pronounce fountain (audio)
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

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for fountain 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of fountain was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near fountain

Cite this Entry

“Fountain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fountain. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on fountain

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