fountain

American  

[faun-tn] / ˈfaʊn tn /

noun

• fountains
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• fountains
  plural

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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

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Explanation

A fountain is a decorative structure that shoots streams of water into the air. You might see a big fountain in front of a museum, or install a small one in your back yard. You can use the noun fountain any time you talk about a shooting flow of water, whether it's a deliberate, artificial piece of architecture or an accidental fountain caused by the faucet in your kitchen sink breaking suddenly, sending a fountain of water into the air. The earliest, fifteenth century meaning of fountain was "spring of water that collects in a pool," from the Latin root word fons, "spring of water."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fountain fountains

Amazon, meanwhile, poured millions into an immersive, acre-sized space complete with espresso martinis, a fountain spouting rosé and caricature artists drawing portraits of attendees.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

“A roof ruptured, ‘flinging up a fountain of debris,’” Mr. Makos tells us.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

The fountain has been used as a memorial site for those killed, with pictures, flowers and messages laid around the basin wall.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Following the show — billowing shapes, punk-y hair sculptures, all classically Collina — we walked into a whimsical picnic complete with a margarita fountain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

It also held the notes for her speech, and her new fountain pen, too.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

KFC’s decision to replace PepsiCo with Coca-Cola at its soda fountains came after a secret showdown, complete with taste tests and discussions over strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026

From there, doors lead outside to a patio surrounded by fountains, allowing the indoor living areas to flow directly into the grounds.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 12, 2026

Outside, fountains and gardens surround a tennis court and 60-foot tiled pool.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

Designed to blend into the historic Baroque park, they are notable for their curved ceramic facades, daylight from skylights, accessibility features, drinking fountains -- and free use.

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

It was a white and sharp predator trailing fountains of fire behind it.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia

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Related Words

• geyser
• reservoir
• stream

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