mountain
MOWN-tihn
Mountain (noun) means a very tall, steep natural landform rising well above the surrounding land. Example: “The village sits at the foot of a huge mountain.”
noun
1
A very tall, steep natural landform rising well above the surrounding land.
"The village sits at the foot of a huge mountain."
"They spent the weekend hiking in the mountains."
"Snow capped the mountain even in midsummer."
2
A huge amount or pile of something.
"There was a mountain of dirty laundry waiting for him after the holiday."
"The shop's bins overflowed with a mountain of cardboard boxes after the sale."
"She had a mountain of paperwork to get through before Friday."
How to use mountain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very high, steep hill, or, informally, a huge pile of something.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
climb a mountain
mountain range
mountain of debt
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Word forms
- Plural
- mountains
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The village sits at the foot of a huge _____.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman muntaine, ultimately from Latin mōns ("mountain") — the same root as "mount."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for mountain
See all rhymes for mountain →Frequently asked questions
What does “mountain” mean?
The word “mountain” means a very tall, steep natural landform rising well above the surrounding land. In plain terms, a very high, steep hill, or, informally, a huge pile of something.
How do you pronounce “mountain”?
“Mountain” is pronounced MOWN-tihn (/ˈmaʊn.t(ə)n/ in IPA).
How do you use “mountain” in a sentence?
Here is “mountain” used in a sentence: “They spent the weekend hiking in the mountains.”
What is another word for “mountain”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mountain” include alp, beacon, ben, crest, eminence and fell.
What part of speech is “mountain”?
“Mountain” is a noun.
Where does the word “mountain” come from?
The word “mountain” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman muntaine, ultimately from Latin mōns ("mountain") — the same root as "mount.".
Is “mountain” a common word?
“Mountain” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “mountain” have?
“Mountain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very tall, steep natural landform rising well above the surrounding land.
What is the difference between a mountain and a hill?
Both rise above the surrounding land, but a mountain is taller, steeper, and more dramatic than a hill. There is no fixed height that officially separates them, though a common rule of thumb puts mountains above roughly 300 metres. In practice, the distinction often rests on local tradition and perception as much as on precise measurement.
What are the main types of mountains?
Geologists usually recognise several types based on how they form. Fold mountains arise where tectonic plates collide and crumple the crust, fault-block mountains form along deep fractures, and volcanic mountains build up from erupted material. Dome mountains, pushed up by rising rock, and eroded plateau mountains complete the main categories.
What is an example of a mountain?
Mount Everest, on the border of Nepal and China, is the classic example — the highest point on Earth above sea level. Other famous mountains include Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mont Blanc in the Alps, and Mount Fuji in Japan, each rising steeply and distinctly above the land around it.
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