FOUNTAINHEAD

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does fountainhead mean? 

• FOUNTAINHEAD (noun)
  The noun FOUNTAINHEAD has 2 senses:

1. an abundant source

2. the source of water from which a stream arises

  Familiarity information: FOUNTAINHEAD used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FOUNTAINHEAD (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An abundant source

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

fountainhead; well; wellspring

Context example:

she was a well of information

Hypernyms ("fountainhead" is a kind of...):

source (a document (or organization) from which information is obtained)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The source of water from which a stream arises

Classified under:

Nouns denoting spatial position

Synonyms:

fountainhead; head; headspring

Context example:

they tracked him back toward the head of the stream

Hypernyms ("fountainhead" is a kind of...):

beginning; origin; root; rootage; source (the place where something begins, where it springs into being)

 Context examples 

Tell me the real truth, as you have it from the fountainhead.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)