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• mountain
  mountain

  noun

  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).
• Mountain
  Mountain

  noun

  an extremist faction during the French Revolution led by Danton and Robespierre

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mountain

American  

[maun-tn] / ˈmaʊn tn /

noun

• mountains
  plural

1. 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).

2. a large mass of something resembling this, as in shape or size.

3. a huge amount.

   a mountain of incoming mail.

4. (initial capital letter) a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.

5. Also called mountain wine. British Archaic. a sweet Malaga wine.

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adjective

1. of or relating to mountains.

   mountain air.

2. living, growing, or located in the mountains.

   mountain people.

3. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size.

idioms

1. make a mountain out of a molehill. molehill.

Mountain ¹ British  

/ ˈmaʊntɪn /

noun

1. an extremist faction during the French Revolution led by Danton and Robespierre

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mountain ² British  

/ ˈmaʊntɪn /

noun

1. 1. a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a hill and often having a rocky summit

   2. ( as modifier )

      mountain people

      mountain scenery

   3. ( in combination )

      a mountaintop

2. a huge heap or mass

   a mountain of papers

3. anything of great quantity or size

4. a surplus of a commodity, esp in the European Union

   the butter mountain

5. informal a serious or considerable difficulty or obstruction to overcome

6. See molehill

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mountain Scientific  

/ moun′tən /

1. A generally massive and usually steep-sided, raised portion of the Earth's surface. Mountains can occur as single peaks or as part of a long chain. They can form through volcanic activity, by erosion, or by uplift of the continental crust when two tectonic plates collide. The Himalayas, which are the highest mountains in the world, were formed when the plate carrying the landmass of India collided with the plate carrying the landmass of China.

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mountain More Idioms  

1. see if the mountain won't come to Muhammad; make a mountain out of a molehill.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• undermountain
  noun
• mountainless
  adjective
• submountain
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• mountains
  plural

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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

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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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mountain Mountain mountains

In 2022, he had been brought in to help manage the company’s mountain of debt, modernize operations and help find a new CEO.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

She will be joined by others with various life experiences including conservation carpenters and museum and mountain rescue specialists.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

But they can’t locate a cheaper version of that mountain cabin you’ve been eyeing, because it might only be available on Airbnb.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

Many proposed fusion strategies effectively attempt to climb directly over the mountain.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026

I stumbled to my feet and realized that Elliot was still beside me, his face and pajamas covered in the fine gray dust of the mountain.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Its restaurants carry Pepsi, Starry, Mountain Dew and Aquafina in the U.S., along with the chain’s own lemonade and ice tea.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026

In September, the Six Flags Magic Mountain park in California announced it was closing its X2 rollercoaster after more 100 people alleged that they had suffered brain injuries from the ride.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

More than 16 million people have ridden X2, Magic Mountain said in its statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026

Suncor operates a refinery in Colorado, while ExxonMobil has deep ties to the Rocky Mountain State.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

“Something always goes awry. Weather— cold, hot, rainy—and the terrain—muddy, flat, or rocky—all affect the trip. That’s natural, expected. Mountain lions, javelinas are natural, too.”

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

The Bryson Fire, burning in the affluent coastal city of Malibu in Los Angeles county, has also sparked evacuation orders throughout the Santa Monica mountains and has grown to 147 acres.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

The weather service issued wind advisories and high-wind warnings in the mountains to highlight that “the wind itself could cause issues like downed power lines, power outages, road hazards and general nuisance,” Kittell said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

Earlier this year, he escaped to Dali, a magnet for drifters in China’s Yunnan province known for its scenic mountains and slow pace of life.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Together, the contrasting colors of mountains, farmland, islands, and surrounding seas create a vivid portrait of Italy as seen from space.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026

The island is surrounded by mountains that shoot up to the sky.

From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen

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