mountain
Americannoun
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a natural elevation of the earth's surface rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill, usually greater than 2,000 feet (610 meters).
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a large mass of something resembling this, as in shape or size.
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a huge amount.
a mountain of incoming mail.
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(initial capital letter) a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.
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Also called mountain wine. British Archaic. a sweet Malaga wine.
adjective
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of or relating to mountains.
mountain air.
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living, growing, or located in the mountains.
mountain people.
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resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size.
idioms
noun
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a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a hill and often having a rocky summit
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( as modifier )
mountain people
mountain scenery
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( in combination )
a mountaintop
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a huge heap or mass
a mountain of papers
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anything of great quantity or size
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a surplus of a commodity, esp in the European Union
the butter mountain
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informal a serious or considerable difficulty or obstruction to overcome
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See molehill
noun
Other Word Forms
- mountainless adjective
- submountain adjective
- undermountain noun
Etymology
Origin of mountain
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English mountaine, from Old French montaigne, from Vulgar Latin montānea (unrecorded), noun use of feminine of montāneus (unrecorded), from Latin montān(us) “mountainous” (from mont-, stem of mōns “hill, mountain” + -ānus -an ) + -eus, adjective suffix
Explanation
A mountain is a large and often steep landmass that's much higher than the surrounding area. It's not to be confused with a molehill. The word mountain has been around since the 1200s. A mountain is much larger than an average hill; it's a mass of land that rises up to 2000 feet or so. Mountain does not always describe a land mass. It can also be used to refer to an undertaking, a pile of something, or even a large dose of trouble. You might have a mountain of mashed potatoes you don't want to eat, or a mountain of homework.
Vocabulary lists containing mountain
Physical Geography - Introductory
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Physical Geography - Middle School
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Physical Geography - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Of the 59 native species monitored, 33 have declined, 25 have improved and one mountain species has too little data to assess.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
“The phone continues to ring,” Tim Foster, chief of mountain operations at Sun Peaks, told me.
From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026
Rainfall totals of half an inch to 1.5 inches are expected in the mountain and foothill regions, and there is a chance of a dusting of snow in areas above 6,000 feet elevation.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
Argentina currently produces virtually no copper, even though it shares the same Andean mountain range with Chile, by far the world’s biggest copper producer.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
“That was for last night. You have to give me something for tonight, and besides, I’m making you a mountain of pure gold,” I said impatiently.
From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
