mountain

noun

moun·​tain ˈmau̇n-tᵊn How to pronounce mountain (audio)
often attributive
1
a
: a landmass that projects conspicuously above its surroundings and is higher than a hill
The sun set behind the mountains.
b
: an elongated ridge
2
a
: a great mass
a mountain of a manE. K. Brown
b
: a vast number or quantity
a mountain of mail
a mountain of debt

Examples of mountain in a Sentence

She watched the sun set behind the mountains. a cabin in the mountains They both like mountain climbing. We've received a mountain of mail.
Recent Examples on the Web To reach the house, visitors drive up the dark, narrow mountain road hemmed in on both sides by foliage, before arriving, slightly carsick, slightly confused, at the low-slung residence with a modest roofline. Kristina Linnea Garcia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Mar. 2024 There are 46 rooms, a combo of suites and villas, with interiors designed to feel like local mountain homes (think huge windows that let the light in, traditional Balinese materials, and tropical plants). Annie Daly, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 Wednesday’s storm also brought snow — about 1 to 4 inches — to the Southern California mountains, with some snow flurries still lingering Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Cathy McGrath is among the closest neighbors to the project, with a home backing onto the mountains and just across an arroyo from where the company intends to move mine tailings. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 The case before the Supreme Court was brought by Grants Pass, a small city nestled in the mountains of southern Oregon that has been barred by court orders – citing Martin v. Boise – from enforcing local ordinances that prohibit sleeping and camping in parks and on public property. Claire Rush, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Mar. 2024 From Alabama’s favorite beach town to Kentucky’s bourbon capital, Maryland's Eastern Shore hideaway to North Carolina’s mountain escape, there’s a town here for every personality. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024 In this moment, emergency dispatchers need a mountain of confidence to urge action when agonal breathing happens. Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024 That same system is expected to bring snow in the mountains. Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mountain.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English montaine, monteine, mounteyne, borrowed from Anglo-French muntaine, monteigne, mountaigne "elevated region, mountain range, mountain" (also continental Old French, Middle French montagne), going back to Vulgar Latin *montānea, from Latin mont-, mons "mountain, hill" + Vulgar Latin *-ānea, collective suffix, from neuter plural of Latin -āneus (from -ānus -an entry 2 + -eus -eous) — more at mount entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of mountain was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near mountain

Cite this Entry

“Mountain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mountain. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mountain

noun
moun·​tain ˈmau̇nt-ᵊn How to pronounce mountain (audio)
1
: an elevation higher than a hill
2
: a great mass or huge number
a mountain of mail

More from Merriam-Webster on mountain

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