font

¹ American  

[font] / fɒnt /

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.

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font ² American  

[font] / fɒnt /

noun

Printing.

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

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font ¹ British  

/ 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

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font ² British  

/ fɒnt /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• fontal adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

One snapped a picture of the sale sign, at which point employees pointed out the date in small font.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

The latest meme appears to use an image from Pokopia, with the slogan written in a similar font to the game.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

I expected Williams to take umbrage with the idea that he was a font of misinformation, but surprisingly, he wasn’t exactly bothered by that charge.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

“Got hemorrhoids?” read the bubbly font in the window.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

Gentle Mother, font of mercy, save our sons from war, we pray, stay the swords and stay the arrows, let them know a better day.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

Related Words

• fount