drinking fountain

noun

1. a water fountain that ejects a jet of water for drinking without a cup.

drinking fountain

noun

1. a device for providing a flow or jet of drinking water, usually in public places

Word History and Origins

Origin of drinking fountain¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Related Words

• water fountain 

When To Use

What is a drinking fountain?

A drinking fountain is a device that ejects a fountainlike stream of water that can be drunk from without a cup.Drinking fountains are often for public use—they provide access to drinking water in places like government buildings, schools, and parks.There are many different designs for drinking fountains, but they all generally work by ejecting a jet of water that can be drunk from directly.Drinking fountains are also commonly called water fountains, which should not be confused with the kind of fountain that’s mainly for decoration, such as in city plazas, though of course such fountains also use water (but not for drinking).Example: Why would I buy a bottle of water from the vending machine when I could just fill up my water bottle for free from the drinking fountain?