geyser
playDefinition of geyser
1 : a spring that throws forth intermittent jets of heated water and steam
2 British : an apparatus for heating water rapidly with a gas flame (as for a bath)
From the M-W Editors
Examples of geyser in a sentence
The water from the geyser rises as high as 75 feet.
geysers rising as high as 75 feet
The water shot into the sky in an enormous geyser.
Did You Know?
A hot spring that discharges intermittent jets of steam and water is called a geyser. Geysers are generally associated with recent volcanic activity. They are produced by the heating of underground waters that have come into contact with, or are very close to, magma. Geyser discharges as high as 1,600 ft (500 m) have been recorded, but 160 ft (50 m) is much more common. Occasionally, a geyser will adopt an extremely regular and predictable pattern of intermittent activity and discharge for a few minutes every hour or so (for example, Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park).
Origin and Etymology of geyser
Icelandic Geysir, hot spring in Iceland, from geysa to rush forth, from Old Norse; akin to Old English gēotan to pour — more at found
First Known Use: 1780
Other Geology Terms
anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale
GEYSER Defined for English Language Learners
geyser
playDefinition of geyser for English Language Learners
-
: a hole in the ground that shoots out hot water and steam; also : the column of water and steam that comes from a geyser
-
: a device for heating water in a bathroom or kitchen
GEYSER Defined for Kids
geyser
playDefinition of geyser for Students
: a spring that now and then shoots up hot water and steam
Learn More about geyser
-
See words that rhyme with geyser Spanish Central: Translation of geyser Nglish: Translation of geyser for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about geyser
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up geyser? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!