mountain
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).
a large mass of something resembling this, as in shape or size.
a huge amount: a mountain of incoming mail.
(initial capital letter) a steam locomotive having a four-wheeled front truck, eight driving wheels, and a two-wheeled rear truck.
Also called mountain wine .British Archaic. a sweet Malaga wine.
of or relating to mountains: mountain air.
living, growing, or located in the mountains: mountain people.
resembling or suggesting a mountain, as in size.
Idioms about mountain
make a mountain out of a molehill. molehill (def. 2).
Origin of mountain
1Other words from mountain
- moun·tain·less, adjective
- sub·moun·tain, adjective
- un·der·moun·tain, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for mountain (1 of 2)
/ (ˈmaʊntɪn) /
a natural upward projection of the earth's surface, higher and steeper than a hill and often having a rocky summit
(as modifier): mountain people; mountain scenery
(in combination): a mountaintop
a huge heap or mass: a mountain of papers
anything of great quantity or size
a surplus of a commodity, esp in the European Union: the butter mountain
a mountain to climb British informal a serious or considerable difficulty or obstruction to overcome
make a mountain out of a molehill See molehill (def. 2)
Origin of mountain
1British Dictionary definitions for Mountain (2 of 2)
/ (ˈmaʊntɪn) /
the Mountain an extremist faction during the French Revolution led by Danton and Robespierre
Origin of Mountain
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for mountain
[ moun′tən ]
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with mountain
see if the mountain won't come to Muhammad; make a mountain out of a molehill.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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