A mountain is a very high, steep area of land that rises well above the surrounding ground. Mountains often form ranges and can affect weather, rivers, and where people live.
From Old French *montaigne*, from Vulgar Latin *montanea*, from Latin *mons, mont-* “mountain.” The word is part of a large family that includes *amount*, *surmount*, and *promontory*.
Mountains act like giant weather machines, forcing air to rise, cool, and drop rain or snow. That’s why one side of a mountain range can be lush and the other side almost desert-dry. The word “mountain” is also used metaphorically for anything that feels huge and difficult, like “a mountain of homework.”
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