mountain
mountain
Pronunciation
Mountain: /ˈmaʊntən/
Moun- /maʊn/
-tain /tən/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: mountain
Plural Noun: mountains
Adjective (related to mountains): mountainous (e.g., mountainous region)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A large natural elevation of the earth's surface rising abruptly from the surrounding level; a large steep hill.
Synonyms: peak, summit, range, height, alp (informal, especially for the Alps)
Antonyms: valley, plain, canyon, trench
(Figurative) A formidable obstacle or a very large quantity or accumulation of something.
Synonyms: hurdle, challenge, heap, pile, abundance
Antonyms: ease, triviality, scarcity, deficit
Examples of Use
Books:
"He had a deep appreciation for the solitude found in the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada." (from Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey)
"The journey to the lonely mountain was fraught with peril, but the dwarves were determined." (from The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien)
Newspapers:
"A rescue operation is underway for climbers stranded on Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, following a sudden blizzard." (Reuters)
"Local residents are concerned about the proposed development, fearing it will spoil the pristine views of the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"The article details the impact of climate change on glacial melt in the Himalayan mountains, threatening water supplies for millions." (National Geographic online)
"Hikers share their favorite trails through the Rocky Mountains, offering tips for all skill levels." (Outside Magazine online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (released 2001), the characters attempt to cross the Caradhras mountain, encountering a magical blizzard.
Music: The song "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (originally released by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, 1967) uses "mountain" metaphorically to represent an obstacle to love.
Video Game: In The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (released 2017), players frequently navigate vast and varied mountain ranges.
Television Series: In an episode of Planet Earth II (BBC, 2016), a segment focuses on the unique wildlife found in high-altitude mountain environments.
General Public Discourse:
"After the heavy snowfall, there's a mountain of laundry waiting for me." (Common idiom for a large quantity)
"Climbing that mountain was one of the most challenging things I've ever done." (Referring to a difficult task, literally or figuratively)
10 Quotes Using Mountain
"The mountains are calling and I must go." (John Muir)
"It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." (Sir Edmund Hillary)
"Never measure the height of a mountain until you reach the top. Then you will see how low it was." (Dag Hammarskjöld)
"Over every mountain, there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley." (Theodore Roethke)
"Great things are done when men and mountains meet; This is not done by jostling in the street." (William Blake)
"You are not in the mountains. The mountains are in you." (John Muir)
"Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing." (Barry Finlay)
"What are men to rocks and mountains?" (Jane Austen)
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!" (Dr. Seuss)
"I've realized that at the top of the mountain, there's another mountain." (Andrew Garfield)
Etymology
The word "mountain" comes from Old French and earlier Latin.
Think of it like this:
The very old root of the word is Latin "montem" (which is the accusative form of "mons"), meaning "a mountain" or "a hill."
This Latin word then evolved into Old French "montaigne", which also meant "a mountain."
From Old French, the word was borrowed into Middle English around the late 13th or early 14th century, becoming "mountayne" or "monteyne".
So, the first known use in English (as Middle English) carried pretty much the same meaning it has today: a large, natural high piece of land. It literally means "something that sticks up like a hill or mountain."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Mountain
Make a mountain out of a molehill: To exaggerate a minor problem.
Move mountains: To achieve something seemingly impossible.
Mountain of debt/work/evidence: A very large amount of something.
Go over the mountain: To overcome a significant obstacle or challenge.
Ain't no mountain high enough: Referring to no obstacle being too great (from the song).
Mountain man: A person living in or accustomed to wild mountainous regions.
Mountain dew: A colloquial term for moonshine (often referring to the drink brand by extension).
Like a mountain: Very large, stable, or imposing.
Beyond the mountain: Referring to something unknown or yet to be discovered.
The last mountain: The final, biggest challenge.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of mountain from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
