mountain

[ moun-tn ]

noun

1. a natural elevation of the earth's surface rising more or less abruptly to a summit, and attaining an altitude greater than that of a hill, usually greater than 2,000 feet (610 meters).
2. a large mass of something resembling this, as in shape or size.
3. a huge amount:

   a mountain of incoming mail.

4. (initial capital letter) a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.
5. Also called mountain wine. British Archaic. a sweet Malaga wine.

adjective

1. of or relating to mountains:

   mountain air.

2. living, growing, or located in the mountains:

   mountain people.

3. resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size.

Mountain

¹

/ ˈmaʊntɪn /

noun

1. the Mountain
   an extremist faction during the French Revolution led by Danton and Robespierre

mountain

²

/ ˈmaʊntɪn /

noun

1. 1. a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a hill and often having a rocky summit
   2. ( as modifier )

      mountain people

      mountain scenery

   3. ( in combination )

      a mountaintop

2. a huge heap or mass

   a mountain of papers

3. anything of great quantity or size
4. a surplus of a commodity, esp in the European Union

   the butter mountain

5. a mountain to climb informal.
   a serious or considerable difficulty or obstruction to overcome
6. make a mountain out of a molehill
   See molehill

mountain

/ moun′tən /

1. A generally massive and usually steep-sided, raised portion of the Earth's surface. Mountains can occur as single peaks or as part of a long chain. They can form through volcanic activity, by erosion, or by uplift of the continental crust when two tectonic plates collide. The Himalayas, which are the highest mountains in the world, were formed when the plate carrying the landmass of India collided with the plate carrying the landmass of China.

Other Words From

• mountain·less adjective
• sub·mountain adjective
• under·mountain noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mountain¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English mountaine, from Old French montaigne, from Vulgar Latin montānea (unrecorded), noun use of feminine of montāneus (unrecorded), from Latin montān(us) “mountainous” (from mont-, stem of mōns “hill, mountain” + -ānus -an ) + -eus, adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of mountain¹

C18: so called because its members sat in the highest row of seats at the National Convention Hall in 1793

Origin of mountain²

C13: from Old French montaigne, from Vulgar Latin montānea (unattested) mountainous, from Latin montānus, from mons mountain

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make a mountain out of a molehill. molehill ( def 2 ).

More idioms and phrases containing mountain

see if the mountain won't come to Muhammad ; make a mountain out of a molehill .

Example Sentences

Giant excavators move mountains of soybeans at the Brazilian port of Santos, the largest in Latin America.

From Science Magazine

“The solution is a helicopter,” the presentation says, pointing to an on-site helipad where chartered flights could quickly ferry snow seekers up to the mountain.

From Los Angeles Times

Known for its sunny weather and scenic beaches, mountains and deserts, California also grappled with big hurdles in the last year, including the Hollywood strikes and mass layoffs in the tech and media industries.

From Los Angeles Times

The region is surrounded by mountains and lacks strong winds, which normally help blow polluted air away.

From BBC

The challenge is acute in mountain communities, where geography is a hassle.

From Salon

Related Words

• alp
• bluff
• butte
• cliff
• crag
• elevation
• eminence
• height
• mesa
• mount
• palisade
• peak
• pike
• precipice
• range
• ridge
• sierra
• tor
• volcano