fountain

American  

[foun-tn] / ˈfaʊn tn /

noun

1. a spring or source of water; the source or head of a stream.

2. the source or origin of anything.

   Synonyms:

   wellspring , genesis , cradle , birthplace

3. a jet or stream of water (or other liquid) made by mechanical means to spout or rise from an opening or structure, as to afford water for use, to cool the air, or to serve for ornament.

4. a structure for discharging such a jet or a number of jets, often an elaborate or artistic work with basins, sculptures, etc.

5. drinking fountain.

6. soda fountain.

7. a reservoir for a liquid to be supplied gradually or continuously, as in a fountain pen.

8. Heraldry.  a roundel barry-wavy, argent and azure.

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fountain British  

/ ˈfaʊntɪn /

noun

1. a jet or spray of water or some other liquid

2. a structure from which such a jet or a number of such jets spurt, often incorporating figures, basins, etc

3. a natural spring of water, esp the source of a stream

4. a stream, jet, or cascade of sparks, lava, etc

5. a principal source or origin

6. a reservoir or supply chamber, as for oil in a lamp

7. short for drinking fountain soda fountain

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Other Word Forms

• fountain-like adjective
• fountained adjective
• fountainless adjective
• fountainlike adjective
• unfountained adjective

Etymology

Origin of fountain

1375–1425; late Middle English fontayne < Old French fontaine < Late Latin fontāna, noun use of feminine of Latin fontānus of a spring, equivalent to font- (stem of fons ) spring + -ānus -an

Example Sentences

In April, at his first news conference since taking office, Kennedy spouted a fountain of misinformation about autism.

From Los Angeles Times

If I were inspired by a fountain or a landmark, I wouldn’t be looking at pictures of it.

From Los Angeles Times

This is being treated as a big revelation, as if Maxwell is some fountain of truth that cannot be discovered anywhere else.

From Salon

“Nair is the fountain of youth, I figured it out,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Costco is cutting Pepsi from its food court fountain lineup and replacing it with Coca-Cola, in a nationwide switch already underway.

From Salon

Related Words

• geyser
• reservoir
• stream