fountain

American  

[foun-tn] / ˈfaʊn 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.

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fountain British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of fountain

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

Example Sentences

The production company A24 made special movie chocolate that comes in flavors like fizzy fountain soda and will pair nicely with tickets.

From The Wall Street Journal

I asked for water and the bartender pointed me toward a drinking fountain and some plastic cups.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tanner initially leased a fountain machine from Coca-Cola.

From The Wall Street Journal

They were passing through a particularly fine square, with a fountain in the form of a mermaid in the center, when there was a noise overhead, of beating wings, and the sky called Nighthand’s name.

From Literature

She fills a glass with Coke from the fountain and sets it in front of me.

From Literature

Related Words

• geyser
• reservoir
• stream