fountain

[ foun-tn ]

noun

1. a spring or source of water; the source or head of a stream.
2. the source or origin of anything.

   Synonyms: wellspring, genesis, cradle, birthplace

3. a jet or stream of water (or other liquid) made by mechanical means to spout or rise from an opening or structure, as to afford water for use, to cool the air, or to serve for ornament.
4. a structure for discharging such a jet or a number of jets, often an elaborate or artistic work with basins, sculptures, etc.
5. drinking fountain.
6. soda fountain.
7. a reservoir for a liquid to be supplied gradually or continuously, as in a fountain pen.
8. Heraldry. a roundel barry-wavy, argent and azure.

fountain

/ ˈfaʊntɪn /

noun

1. a jet or spray of water or some other liquid
2. a structure from which such a jet or a number of such jets spurt, often incorporating figures, basins, etc
3. a natural spring of water, esp the source of a stream
4. a stream, jet, or cascade of sparks, lava, etc
5. a principal source or origin
6. a reservoir or supply chamber, as for oil in a lamp
7. short for drinking fountain soda fountain

Derived Forms

• ˈfountained, adjective
• ˈfountainless, adjective
• ˈfountain-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• fountained adjective
• fountain·less adjective
• fountain·like adjective
• un·fountained adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fountain¹

1375–1425; late Middle English fontayne < Old French fontaine < Late Latin fontāna, noun use of feminine of Latin fontānus of a spring, equivalent to font- (stem of fons ) spring + -ānus -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of fountain¹

C15: from Old French fontaine , from Late Latin fontāna , from Latin fons spring, source

Example Sentences

They stood by a brick fountain outside the 50-foot buffer zone in which electioneering and harassment are prohibited.

From ProPublica

The men’s bathroom at the local Regal here in upstate New York has had broken urinals and a broken water fountain since I moved here.

From Fortune

Luckily, newer fountain pen models are more reliable, with simple ink refills and secure caps that make these pens as mess free as they are beautiful.

From Popular-Science

For every serious entrepreneur, there is a fountain of energy that never runs dry in doing things.

From Search Engine Watch

Still, this fountain runs low whenever something depends on the third party.

From Search Engine Watch

Terry Chung, an expert on fluidics and fountain systems, led the engineering of the mechanical systems.

From The Daily Beast

Instead of the eight flavors a typical fountain could dispense, they might want 15 or 20.

From The Daily Beast

He wandered into Fountain City, a suburb of Knoxville, where he fended for himself.

From The Daily Beast

A few of those community leaders invited Scopes to the drugstore, bought him a fountain drink, and convinced him to stand trial.

From The Daily Beast

Depending on who you ask, cardio exercise is either the fountain of youth or the ticket to an early grave.

From The Daily Beast

At Buffalo, where this fountain was exhibited, it received honorable mention.

From Project Gutenberg

John was baptizing at a large pool called Ænon-by-Saleim,—probably allegorical, meaning “Fountain of Repose.”

From Project Gutenberg

A clock was put above the spot where the fountain stood, in April, 1852, which cost £60.

From Project Gutenberg

In the centre of many of the rooms there played a small fountain; in others there were four, one in each angle.

From Project Gutenberg

The Alle is not all on a level, but descends gradually from the springs to a fountain which is at the opposite end.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• geyser
• reservoir
• stream