mountain

noun

moun·​tain ˈmau̇n-tᵊn 

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 man …

—David Butwin

b

: a vast number or quantity

a mountain of mail

a mountain of debt

see also:

make a mountain out of a molehill

Synonyms of mountain

• peak
• alp
• mount

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

For those who'd like to take in mountain views, the rolling hills of North Georgia are on full display from Lake Lanier, where guests can rent boats or spend a day at one of the marinas. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026

Meanwhile, in the parking lot outside, a huge mountain of dirty snow was accumulating. — Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026

In the rugged mountains of Afghanistan, on the morning of March 11, 2013, something lurked just below the surface of a young Afghan man, a boy, really. — Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Seriously, man, just put down the guitar and the trumpet and the mountain-moving soul vocals and take it easy on the rest of us for a minute. — Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 1 Nov. 2026

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

Phrases Containing mountain

• acute mountain sickness
• American mountain ash
• Bernese mountain dog
• cat-a-mountain
• European mountain ash
• make a mountain out of a molehill
• mountain ash
• mountain bicycle
• mountain bike
• mountain biking
• mountain bluebird
• mountain chain
• mountain coati
• mountain cranberry
• mountain dew
• mountain goat
• mountain gorilla
• mountain laurel
• mountain lion
• mountain mahogany
• mountain man
• mountain sheep
• mountain sickness
• mountain time
• snow-on-the-mountain
• Welsh mountain pony

Rhymes for mountain

• fountain
• intermountain

Kids Definition

mountain

noun

moun·​tain ˈmau̇nt-ᵊn 

1

: an elevation higher than a hill

2

: a great mass or huge number

a mountain of mail