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

Other Word Forms

• fountained adjective
• fountainless adjective
• fountain-like adjective
• fountainlike adjective
• unfountained 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

For me, the most novel recipes are found in the drinks section, which includes recipes for egg creams, tart shrubs and sweet syrups—nods to the elaborate soda fountains that flourished in the past century.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She notes that only recently has she become smitten with fountain pens.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

I met my hosts at the restaurant’s entrance, made to look like a pueblo plaza complete with a huge water fountain, towering church steeple and a pink exterior better suited for a spoonful of Pepto-Bismol.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He says you can get "fountains of knowledge" from social media, especially around optimal muscle growth.

Read more on BBC

"He told me they were taking photos at the fountain, and I'm looking around going 'where is this fountain?' Eventually I asked where they were and he tells me they're at the hotel in Ayr."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• geyser 
• reservoir 
• stream