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Definition of fountainhead

fountainhead

/ˈfaʊn.tənˌhɛd/
foun · tain · head
Plural:fountainheads
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fountainhead Lexical Profile

fountainhead Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An original or principal source of something, such as ideas, inspiration, or knowledge.

Example

"Ancient Greece is widely regarded as the fountainhead of Western philosophy and democratic governance."

2

A natural spring of water from which a stream or river flows; the headwaters of a watercourse.

Example

"The hikers followed the rocky mountain trail all the way up to the icy fountainhead of the river."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

foundry
fount
fountain
fountainhead
four
four o'clock
fourfold

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the late 15th century as a compound of "fountain" (from Old French fontaine, meaning a natural spring) and "head" (in the sense of the upper end or source of a stream).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fountainhead. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fountainhead
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