font

¹

[font]

noun

1. a receptacle, usually of stone, as in a baptistery or church, containing the water used in baptism.

2. a receptacle for holy water; stoup.

3. a productive source.

   The book is a font of useful tips for travelers.

4. the reservoir for oil in a lamp.

5. Archaic.,  a fountain.

font

²

[font]

noun

Printing.

1. a complete assortment of type of one style and size.

font

¹

/ fɒnt /

noun

1. 1. a large bowl for baptismal water, usually mounted on a pedestal

   2. a receptacle for holy water

2. the reservoir for oil in an oil lamp

3. archaic,  a fountain or well

font

²

/ fɒnt /

noun

1. Also called: fount. printing a complete set of type of one style and size

Other Word Forms

• fontal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of font¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English font, fant, from Latin font-, stem of fōns “baptismal font, spring, fountain”

Origin of font²

First recorded in 1570–80; from Middle French fonte, from Vulgar Latin funditus (unrecorded) “a pouring, molding, casting,” verbal noun from Latin fundere “to pour”; found ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of font¹

Old English, from Church Latin fons , from Latin: fountain

Origin of font²

C16: from Old French fonte a founding, casting, from Vulgar Latin funditus (unattested) a casting, from Latin fundere to melt; see _found ³

Example Sentences

This was followed, in large font, by the blunt statement: “Vaccines do not cause autism.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The world’s largest pizza chain last month revamped its look to feature brighter and black-and-gold boxes, a new jingle and a thicker font, called “Domino’s Sans.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Kirk’s name will appear in 3-inch font below the official street name.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

New York’s Cannabis Control Board has strict marketing rules limiting advertisement color, text font, location and other attributes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Posters for food writer Alison Roman’s latest book tour are covered in the font.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fount