Definition

1. Noun:
   • A plumbing fixture that provides a flow of water: A device, often found in kitchens or bathrooms, designed to supply water for drinking or washing.
   • An artificially produced flow of water: A stream of water created by mechanical means, typically for decorative or practical purposes.
   • A natural flow of groundwater: A spring or source where water flows naturally from the earth.
   • A structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises: An architectural or sculptural feature, often in a public space, designed to discharge a jet or stream of water.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The park's central fountain is illuminated at night. (The main decorative water structure in the park has lights.)
  • They drank from the public drinking fountain. (They used the public fixture providing drinking water.)
  • Ancient settlements often formed near a natural fountain. (Old communities were built close to a natural spring.)
  • The fountain in the courtyard provides a soothing sound. (The water feature in the courtyard creates a calming noise.)

Advanced Usage

• "Fountain of youth": A mythical spring that restores youth to anyone who drinks from it; used metaphorically for anything believed to restore vitality.
  • Many explorers searched for the legendary fountain of youth.
• "Fountain of knowledge/wisdom": A person or source regarded as having vast information or insight.
  • My professor is a veritable fountain of knowledge on medieval history.

Variants and Related Words

• Fountainhead (noun): The original source of a stream or river; the primary source or origin of something.
  • The treaty is considered the fountainhead of modern international law.
• Fountain pen (noun): A pen with a reservoir from which ink flows to the nib.
  • He prefers writing letters with a fountain pen.

Synonyms

• Spring: A place where water flows naturally from the ground.
• Jet: A stream of liquid or gas forced out of a small opening.
• Spout: A tube or lip projecting from a container, through which liquid can be poured.

Related Phrases

• Drinking fountain: A public fixture providing a stream of water for drinking.
  • The children lined up at the drinking fountain after playing.
• Water fountain: A term often used interchangeably for a drinking fountain or a decorative fountain.
  • Let's meet by the water fountain in the plaza.

Related Idioms

• "A fountain of": An abundant source of something (often an abstract quality).
  • She was a fountain of good ideas during the meeting.

Noun

1. a plumbing fixture that provides a flow of water
2. an artificially produced flow of water
3. a natural flow of ground water
4. a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises