fountain

The word “fountain” means a structure that shoots or sprays water, often as a decoration in a public space. In plain terms, a water feature that sprays or flows, or figuratively, a rich source of something.

“Fountain” is pronounced FOWN-tihn ([ˈfaʊn.tn̩] in IPA).

Here is “fountain” used in a sentence: “Tourists tossed coins into the fountain for good luck.”

“Fountain” is a noun.

The word “fountain” comes from Latin. From Old French fontaine, from Latin fons, "spring" or "source.".

“Fountain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Fountain” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a structure that shoots or sprays water, often as a decoration in a public space.

A "fountain" usually refers to a built structure that shoots or sprays water, often for decoration in a public space. A "spring" is a natural place where water rises from the ground, though "fountain" can also describe such a natural source in more literary use.

A "fountain" pushes water upward or sprays it, usually through a man-made structure that often recirculates the same water. A "waterfall" is water falling downward over a drop, and it is typically a natural feature of a river or stream.

In this figurative sense, a "fountain" is a source or origin from which something flows freely and plentifully. Calling a person "a fountain of knowledge" means they are a rich source of information, and "the fountain of youth" similarly names a legendary source of lasting youth.

A "fountain" on its own usually means a decorative structure that sprays water. A "drinking fountain", also called a "water fountain" or a "bubbler" in some regions, is a fixture that provides a stream of water for people to drink.