mountainmoun‧tain /ˈmaʊntɪn $ ˈmaʊntən/ ●●● S3 W3 noun [countable] 
the highest mountain in Austria the Rocky Mountains a steep mountain road magnificent mountain ranges (=lines of mountains) snow-capped mountain peaks (=tops of mountains) a mountain rescue team (=a group of experienced climbers who help people to safety from a mountain) She was the first British woman to climb the mountain.2a mountain of something/mountains of something a very large pile or amount of something: I’ve got mountains of paperwork to deal with. Her husband went off with another woman and left her facing a mountain of debt.3food/butter etc mountain a very large amount of food, butter etc that has been produced but is not needed or used4make a mountain out of a molehill to treat a problem as if it was very serious when in fact it is not5(have) a mountain to climb British English used to say that someone has a lot of work to do to achieve their aim, especially when you believe it will be difficult6move mountains to do things that seem impossible: I have great faith in the power of love to move mountains.GRAMMAR: Patterns with mountainin the mountains• You use in the mountains to refer to an area with several mountains: · They went climbing in the mountains.· We stayed in a little village in the mountains. ✗Don’t say: on the mountains | in the mountainon the mountain• You use on the mountain when referring to one particular mountain: · They lost their way and had to spend a night on the mountain. ✗Don’t say: in the mountainCOLLOCATIONSadjectiveshigh· These mountains are much higher than any in Europe.rugged mountains (=rough and uneven)· the spectacular scenery of rugged mountainsa snow-capped mountain (=with snow on the top)· beautiful views of snow-capped mountainsa distant mountain (=far away)· The sun was setting over the distant mountains.a great mountain (=a high, impressive mountain)· Here, great mountains are all around.a sacred mountain (=considered holy)· Mount Fuji is a sacred mountain.verbsgo/walk up a mountain (also ascend a mountain formal)· Carrie and Albert went up the mountain, neither of them speaking as they climbed.climb a mountain (=walk and/or climb to the top of a mountain)· Hillary had climbed all the big mountains in New Zealand.go/walk down a mountain· She lost her way as she went down the mountain.cross the mountains· We crossed the mountains between Spain and France.mountains rise (=go high into the sky)· The mountains rise above the plains.mountains soar/tower literary (=go very high into the sky)· The distant mountains soar abruptly towards the sky.mountain + NOUNa mountain range/chain (=a number of mountains in a line)· The Alps are the largest mountain range in Europe.a mountain top· Until the end of June you may find snow on the mountain tops.a mountain peak (=the top of a mountain)· Clouds hid the mountain peaks.a mountain slope (=the sides of a mountain)· Snow lay on the steep mountain slopes.a mountain pass (=a path or road between mountains)· Their journey took them through river valleys and over mountain passes.a mountain stream· The water was as clear and cold as a mountain stream.mountain air· a walk in the clear mountain airmountain rescue (=people who help people who are in difficulty on a mountain)· Mountain rescue teams were called out to search for the missing climbers.phrasesthe top of a mountain (also the summit of a mountain formal)· We climbed to the top of the mountain.the foot of a mountain (=the bottom of a mountain)· We’ll take the car to the foot of the mountain and walk from there.the side of a mountain· The path wound up the side of the mountain.THESAURUSmountain a very high hill: · the highest mountain in Austriahill an area of land that is higher than the land around it, which is like a mountain but smaller and usually has a rounded top: · We went for a walk in the hills.· The house is surrounded by woods, farmland and gentle hills.Mount (also Mt written abbreviation) used in the names of mountains. Don’t say ‘Fuji Mountain’ – say ‘Mount Fuji’: · Mount Everestcliff the steep side of an area of land, often next to the sea: · the white cliffs of Doverprecipice especially literary a very steep and dangerous cliff: · They were standing on the edge of a precipice.crag a high steep rock or mountain: · An eagle sailed over the high crags.ridge a long narrow area of high ground, especially at the top of a mountain: · I could see a group of climbers high up on a ridge.knoll a small round hill: · a grassy knollvolcano a mountain with a large hole at the top, through which lava (=hot liquid rock) is sometimes forced out: · the eruption of a volcanosummit the very highest point of a mountain: · the summit of Mt Everestpeak especially literary the top of a mountain: · the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas· a distant peakrange/chain a group of mountains or hills arranged in a line: · the mountain range that is part of the border between Norway and Swedenfoothills a group of smaller hills below a range of high mountains: · the Sierra foothills
WORD ORIGINmountain
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French montaigne, from Latin montanus, from mons; ➔ MOUNT2EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- The lodge is in the mountains of southern Idaho.
- the Rocky Mountains
- A similar secret sanctuary for the president was constructed elsewhere in the mountains west of Washington.
- It is the start of the tourist season and Katmandu is the gateway to the world's highest mountains, including Everest.
- Perhaps they're going to spend the night on the mountain.
- Since that time many independent Orc and Goblin tribes have taken root in the forests and mountains of that cold land.
- The latest software can imitate the texture of flesh or the topography of a mountain range.
- To see it one must usually climb into the mountains which surround its last preserve.
- You still think of the mountains.
THESAURUS
a very high hill: · the highest mountain in Austria
an area of land that is higher than the land around it, which is like a mountain but smaller and usually has a rounded top: · We went for a walk in the hills.· The house is surrounded by woods, farmland and gentle hills.
(also Mt written abbreviation) used in the names of mountains. Don’t say ‘Fuji Mountain’ – say ‘Mount Fuji’: · Mount Everest
the steep side of an area of land, often next to the sea: · the white cliffs of Dover
especially literary a very steep and dangerous cliff: · They were standing on the edge of a precipice.
a high steep rock or mountain: · An eagle sailed over the high crags.
a long narrow area of high ground, especially at the top of a mountain: · I could see a group of climbers high up on a ridge.
a small round hill: · a grassy knoll
a mountain with a large hole at the top, through which lava (=hot liquid rock) is sometimes forced out: · the eruption of a volcano
the very highest point of a mountain: · the summit of Mt Everest
especially literary the top of a mountain: · the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas· a distant peak
a group of mountains or hills arranged in a line: · the mountain range that is part of the border between Norway and Sweden
a group of smaller hills below a range of high mountains: · the Sierra foothills
Longman Language Activatorto make something seem more important than it really is to get upset or angry about something that is not really very important: · It won't cost much to repair the damage, so there's no need to make such a fuss.make a fuss about: · Be quiet. You're all making a fuss about nothing.
also make a big deal out of to argue about something that is not really very important, so that it seems to be important: · Hilary was upset about not being promoted, but she didn't want to make an issue of it.· It really was just a temporary lapse - there's no need to make a big deal out of it.
to make a problem seem worse and more important than it really is: · She was only five minutes late! You're making a mountain out of a molehill.
to talk about something so much that it seems more important than it really is: · You're making too much of this - it's really not worth out falling out over.
a large amount of something · If you plan carefully, a trip to Europe doesn't have to cost a lot.a lot of · We spent a lot of time just lying on the beach.· The book contains a lot of useful advice about setting up your own business.a whole lot/an awful lot (=a very large amount) · To most Americans, $150,000 sounds like a whole lot of money.quite a lot (=a fairly large amount of something) · Helen looks as if she's lost quite a lot of weight recently - is she on a diet?a lot more/less · Ask Susan - she knows a lot more about computers than I do.a lot to do/see/learn etc · We've painted the kitchen and the living room, but there's a lot to do in the other rooms.
informal a large amount of something: · "How much money did you bring with you?" "Lots."lots of: · It's a big house, so we've got lots of room for company.· There was lots of blood, but I don't think anyone got killed.lots and lots: · You can't afford to stay there unless you've got lots and lots of money.lots to see/do/learn etc: · You won't be bored - there's lots to do here.lots more/less: · There's lots more beer in the cooler if you want some.
use this especially in questions and negatives. Much is also used in positive sentences in written English and in formal spoken English: · Do you know much about cars?much pleasure/hope/sense etc: · It gives us much pleasure to announce the names of the winners.· Her answer didn't make much sense to me.so much: · There was so much noise outside, I could hardly hear what she was saying.too much: · I think Perry's had a little too much wine.much to do/see/learn etc: · She never seems to have much to say.· He's very young and still has much to learn about how to deal with employees.much more/less: · We've had much less rain this year than last year.much of (=a large part of something): · Much of Bangladesh remains flooded after last week's torrential rains.
a large amount of something such as time, money, effort, or knowledge: · We already know a great deal about the planet Jupiter.a great/a good deal of: · The job requires a great deal of patience and skill.· It sounds like a simple experiment, but it required a great deal of effort.· There's a good deal of evidence to show that eating red meat can cause heart disease.a great/a good deal more/less: · Audiences have responded to his latest show with a great deal more enthusiasm.
also a fair bit British a large amount of something compared with the total amount that you have: · Don knows a fair bit about managing a company. quite a bit/a fair amount of: · I wasted a fair amount of time before I figured out what was wrong with the car.· There's been quite a bit of conflict between the new director and his staff.quite a bit/a fair amount more/less: · The tickets will cost quite a bit less money if you stay over the weekend.
also loads especially British, /masses British informal a very large amount of something: · "How much space is there in the back of your car?" "Masses."· It was a fantastic meal - there was loads to eat.tons of: · He made tons of money at some computer company.· She's a great athlete with loads of talent.· I've got tons of homework to do this weekend.tons and tons/loads and loads etc: · There's tons and tons of information on the Internet if you're willing to look for it.
British informal a large amount of something, especially work or money: · "How much money have you saved?" "Oh, stacks!"· I have piles to do when I get home tonight.piles/heaps/stacks of: · Her family is very rich - they have heaps of money.
a large amount of something such as work, debt, or information: · We had to complete a mountain of paperwork to get the loan.· The economies of Third World countries are often crippled by huge mountains of debt which they will never be able to repay.
a lot or in very large amounts, especially when this is worse than expected: heavy rain/snow/traffic/fighting/losses/taxation: · The match went ahead despite the heavy rain.· It was a fierce battle, and losses on both sides were heavy.· Traffic was really heavy this morning - it took me over an hour to get here.
informal a large amount of money: · He lost a bundle in the stock market.a bundle of: · If you end up hiring a lawyer, it could cost you a bundle of money.
WORD SETSabyss, nounalluvial, adjectivealluvium, nounalpine, adjectiveAmerican, adjectiveAntarctica, anticyclone, nounarchipelago, nounArctic, adjectivearid, adjectiveAsia, atlas, nounatoll, nounAustralasia, Australasian, adjectiveAustralia, avalanche, nounaxis, nounbank, nounbarometer, nounbarrier reef, nounbasin, nounbay, nounbayou, nounbeach, nounbearing, nounbed, nounbight, nounbluff, nounborder, nounborder, verbborderland, nounborderline, nounborough, nounbox canyon, nounBritish, adjectivebutte, nouncanyon, nouncape, nouncapital, nouncardinal point, nounCaribbean, adjectivecartography, nouncay, nounchain, nounchaparral, nounchart, nounchasm, nounchimney, nounChinese, adjectivecirrus, nounCIS, nouncliff, nounclimate, nounclimatic, adjectivecoastal, adjectivecoastline, nouncockney, nouncol, nouncold front, nouncommuter belt, nouncompass, nounconfluence, nouncontinent, nouncontinental, adjectivecontinental shelf, nouncontour, nounconurbation, nouncoordinate, nouncorridor, nouncorrie, nouncoterminous, adjectivecouncil estate, nouncountry, nouncounty, nouncounty town, nouncourse, nouncove, nouncrag, nouncraggy, adjectivecreek, nouncrevasse, nouncrevice, nouncumulus, nouncyclone, noundateline, noundelta, noundesert, noundesert island, noundevelopment, noundistrict, noundivide, noundown, adverbdune, noundust bowl, nouneast, nouneast, adjectiveeast, adverbeastbound, adjectiveeasterly, adjectiveeasterly, nouneastern, adjectiveEasterner, nouneasternmost, adjectiveeastwards, adverbelevation, nouneminence, nounenvirons, nounequatorial, adjectiveerode, verberosion, nounescarpment, nounestuary, nounEurope, nounextraterritorial, adjectiveeyot, nounface, nounfarmland, nounfeeder, nounfiord, nounfirth, nounfjord, nounflood plain, nounfluvial, adjectivefrontier, nounfrontiersman, noungale force, adjectivegap, noungeo-, prefixgeography, noungeophysics, noungeopolitics, noungeyser, nounglacial, adjectiveglaciation, nounglacier, nounglobe, noungoldfield, noungorge, noungrassland, nounGrecian, adjectivegreen belt, noungrid, noungrotto, noungroundwater, noungulch, noungulf, noungully, nounhead, nounheadland, nounheadwaters, nounheartland, nounhemisphere, nounhighland, adjectivehighlands, nounhigh water mark, nounhinterland, nounHome Counties, the, homeland, nounhurricane, noun-i, suffixIberian, adjectiveiceberg, nounice cap, nounice floe, nounice pack, nounice sheet, nouninhabitant, nouninland, adjectiveinland, adverbinlet, nouninner city, nouninshore, adverbinsular, adjectiveintercontinental, adjectiveInternational Date Line, nounisland, nounisle, nounislet, nounisobar, nounIsraeli, adjectiveIsraeli, nounisthmus, nounItalian, adjectiveItalianate, adjectiveItalo-, prefixJapanese, adjectivekey, nounknoll, nounlagoon, nounlake, nounlandlocked, adjectivelandmass, nounlandslide, nounlandslip, nounlat., Latin, adjectiveLatin America, nounLatin American, adjectivelatitude, nounlevee, nounlittoral, nounlong., longitude, nounlongitudinal, adjectivelough, nounlowlands, nounlow-lying, adjectivelow water mark, nounmagnetic north, nounmagnetic pole, nounmarsh, nounmarshland, nounmeander, verbMediterranean, adjectiveMercator projection, nounmeridian, nounmesa, nounMiddle America, nounmidtown, adjectivemonsoon, nounmoorland, nounmorass, nounmountain, nounmountainside, nounmountaintop, nounmouth, nounmudslide, nounmull, nounnarrows, nounnavigation, nounNE, neck, nounnor'-, prefixnorth, nounnorth, adjectivenorth, adverbNorth America, nounnortheast, nounnortheast, adjectivenortheasterly, adjectivenortheastern, adjectivenortheastwards, adverbnortherly, adjectivenorthern, adjectivenortherner, nounnorthernmost, adjectivenorthwards, adverbnorthwest, nounnorthwest, adjectivenorthwesterly, adjectivenorthwestern, adjectivenorthwestwards, adverbnotch, nounNW, NZ, oasis, nounoccidental, nounocean, nounonshore, adjectiveopenness, nounOrdnance Survey map, nounoriental, adjectiveoutcrop, nounoverspill, nounpack ice, nounpaddy, nounpalisade, nounpan-, prefixpanhandle, nounparallel, nounpeak, nounpeninsula, nounPersian, adjectivephysical geography, nounplain, nounplateau, nounpoint, nounpolar, adjectivepole, nounpolitical geography, nounpollutant, nounpop., populate, verbpopulation, nounprairie, nounprecipice, nounprecipitation, nounPrime Meridian, principality, nounprojection, nounpromontory, nounprovince, nounprovincial, adjectivepueblo, nounR, rainfall, nounrain forest, nounrain gauge, nounrainstorm, nounrange, nounravine, nounreef, nounreference, nounregion, nounregional, adjectiverelief map, nounreservoir, nounresettle, verbresidential, adjectiveresource, nounridge, nounrift valley, nounrise, verbriver, nounriver basin, nounriver bed, nounRoman, adjectiverotation, nounrugged, adjectiverun-off, nounrural, adjectivesand, nounsand bar, nounsandstorm, nounsandy, adjectivesavanna, nounScandinavian, nounscar, nounscarp, nounscree, nounscrubland, nounSE, seaboard, nounsea breeze, nounseafront, nounsea level, nounseaport, nounseaward, adjectivesection, nounsemitropical, adjectiveshelf, nounslough, nounsmog, nounsnowfield, nounsource, nounsouth, nounsouth, adjectivesouth, adverbSouth America, adjectivesoutheast, nounsoutheast, adjectivesoutheasterly, adjectivesoutheastern, adjectivesoutheastwards, adverbsoutherly, adjectivesouthern, adjectivesouthernmost, adjectivesouthwards, adverbsouthwest, nounsouthwest, adjectivesouthwesterly, adjectivesouthwestern, adjectivesouthwestwards, adverbspeleology, nounspit, nounspur, nounstrait, nounsubcontinent, nounsubtropical, adjectivesuburb, nounsuburban, adjectivesummit, nounsurvey, nounsurvey, verbSW, swamp, nountableland, nounterrain, nounterritory, nountidal, adjectivetidal wave, nountidewater, nountime zone, nountop, nountopography, nountor, nountornado, nountown, nountown centre, nountowpath, nountrack, nountract, nountrade route, nountrail, nountransatlantic, adjectivetranscontinental, adjectivetributary, nountropic, nountropical, adjectivetundra, nountyphoon, nounUK, the, uncharted, adjectiveup, adverbup-country, adjectiveuplands, nounupper, adjectiveupriver, adverbupstate, adjectiveupstream, adverbuptown, adverburban, adjectiveurbanized, adjectiveurban renewal, nounurban sprawl, nounUS, the, adjectivevalley, nounW, warm front, nounwaste, adjectivewasteland, nounwater, verbwatercourse, nounwaterfall, nounwaterfront, nounwaterhole, nounwatering place, nounwater meadow, nounwatershed, nounwater table, nounwaterway, nounweather vane, nounwest, nounwest, adjectiveWest, nounwestern, adjectiveWesterner, nounwesternmost, adjectivewestward, adverbwilderness, nounwolds, nounzoning, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives an experienced mountain guide
· These mountains are much higher than any in Europe.
(=rough and uneven)· the spectacular scenery of rugged mountains
(=with snow on the top)· beautiful views of snow-capped mountains
(=far away)· The sun was setting over the distant mountains.
(=a high, impressive mountain)· Here, great mountains are all around.
(=considered holy)· Mount Fuji is a sacred mountain.
verbs (also ascend a mountain formal)· Carrie and Albert went up the mountain, neither of them speaking as they climbed.
(=walk and/or climb to the top of a mountain)· Hillary had climbed all the big mountains in New Zealand.
· She lost her way as she went down the mountain.
· We crossed the mountains between Spain and France.
(=go high into the sky)· The mountains rise above the plains.
literary (=go very high into the sky)· The distant mountains soar abruptly towards the sky.
mountain + NOUN (=a number of mountains in a line)· The Alps are the largest mountain range in Europe.
· Until the end of June you may find snow on the mountain tops.
(=the top of a mountain)· Clouds hid the mountain peaks.
(=the sides of a mountain)· Snow lay on the steep mountain slopes.
(=a path or road between mountains)· Their journey took them through river valleys and over mountain passes.
· The water was as clear and cold as a mountain stream.
· a walk in the clear mountain air
(=people who help people who are in difficulty on a mountain)· Mountain rescue teams were called out to search for the missing climbers.
phrases (also the summit of a mountain formal)· We climbed to the top of the mountain.
(=the bottom of a mountain)· We’ll take the car to the foot of the mountain and walk from there.
· The path wound up the side of the mountain.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· the salty smell of the sea air
(=a long and wide area of mountains)· mountain belts such as the Himalayas
(=a strong bicycle for riding over rough ground)· They went out for a country ride on their mountain bikes.
· The town of Besançon lies at the end of the Jura mountain chain.
· a vast stretch of mountain country
· From here, you can look out to the distant hills.
· The storm caused significant damage to the coastal environment.
an experienced mountain guide· All around are the spectacular mountain peaks of the Jungfrau region.
· mountain resorts in Colorado
· A lot of concentration is needed on the narrow mountain roads.
· This fascinating village is surrounded by magnificent mountain scenery.
· The paths lead to picturesque mountain villages.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· The sun was setting on the tops of the distant mountains.· Over the valley, a full moon was rising, and a chill wind was blowing down from the distant mountains.· The city fans upwards from the coast, its white towers climbing gracefully into the foothills of the distant mountains.· Still others were as darkly blue as distant mountains.· The only things to break the dusty tedium are distant mountains, ragged scars on the horizon.· Clouds like brassy cauliflowers form over the steel-blue blades of the distant mountain range that borders the plain.· Then the sun is gone and it's suddenly cold and the distant mountains are their night time black cut-out.
· Seafarers who landed there thought they saw a great chain of mountains and heard the roaring of lions from them.· They see the lifeless briefs heaped upon their benches like great mountains in stark black and white.· What she needed was to sleep, and she tried to suppress the great mountain of self-pity that threatened to swamp her.· We moved on our hunting grounds from the Minnesota to the Platte and from the Mississippi to the great mountains.· It is like a man who storms up to the top of a great mountain and then just drops down.· Early on, studies of the equatorial regions revealed great volcanic mountain systems and several apparent large impact craters.· But the great mountains are different.· At last he came, hideous and huge, tall as a great mountain crag.
· Even when besieged by the Romans, they built a mikva at the top of a high mountain in the desert.· The one lingering question this year is when the high mountain wilderness areas will become accessible.· An entire society was uprooted and destroyed, vanishing into the high mountains never to return.· The might of water overwhelmed dark earth, over the summits of the highest mountains.· Food is at its most plentiful during the short summer months, when the snow melts to uncover the higher mountain pastures.· The torrents are loosening high mountain rocks and soil, and are washing downstream with the gravel tiny flakes of gold.· There are undoubtedly higher mountains to climb, but something tells me underneath that Beatle wig lies a trace of genius.· But listen, if you lived a nomad's life wandering the high mountains you would understand.
NOUN· In mountain areas use motorised transport sparingly and park considerately.· In general, the mountain areas of the Auvergne experience a much colder winter climate with a long period of Permanent snow.· The scenery throughout the rugged mountain areas is dramatic.· We discovered a little-known mountain area near Ohau, and did a walk up the Temple valley which turned out quite exciting.· Most continental high mountain areas are well served by networks of mountain huts and refuges, usually offering dormitory accommodation.· Since almost all are high mountain areas, agricultural development is anyway unlikely but traditional agriculture for conservation objectives is supported.
· I quickly found that mountain bikes don't particularly spare you the bumps.· They cart in expensive mountain bikes to use the Paisley Woods bicycle trail.· Bike mugging: Leslie Mitchell, 16, was mugged by three men who stole his £300 mountain bike.· Beaty recalls one customer shopping for a package deal: a mountain bike and a sedan.· A man completed all the Munros with a mountain bike.· Horses, mountain bikes, and especially feet work well here.· In addition to the normal walking events this summer there is a section giving details of guided mountain bike rides.
· Not withstanding a single impudent win by a mountain biker in 1989, it would appear that the subject is now closed.· On weekends the Hub buzzes with fellow mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts resting and socializing.· We join the mountain bikers on their toughest test.· Bumps April 27 at Arapahoe Basin features mountain bikers racing on a mogul-studded course.· It's a region already popular both with casual and mountain bikers who don't have to contend with busy traffic.· Kathie Takach, hair stylist and mountain biker.· In part two: Reaching new heights ... mountain bikers find it tough at the top.· Hundreds of mountain bikers made Eastnor Castle in Herefordshire their home over the weekend.
· The whole mountain chain originated from this cleft as lava surged up and spilled down on both sides.· The edge of the overriding plate is crumpled and uplifted to form a mountain chain parallel to the trench.· They are crude and narrow compared to the Dwarf mines of the other mountain chains and prone to collapsing unexpectedly.· During that time continents, oceans, and mountain chains have moved horizontally and vertically through large distances.· The thickened edges of these rafts are of course the mountain chains such as the Andes.· Sibley lives in a remote corner of a remote mountain chain in the wilds of Arizona.
· In fact it seems likely that mountain goats are very successful at avoiding all these predators.· In truth, these peregrinations required the talents of a mountain goat.· If they are cornered by a predator, mountain goats will not hesitate to use their horns to defend themselves.· As in mountain goats and other animals, fighting occurs only between similarly matched individuals.· These have several compartments - four in the case of the mountain goat.· The predators that mountain goats appear to fear most are eagles.· During a typical summer's day, a mountain goat may travel around a kilometre in search of food.· But the mountain goat is big enough to have relatively few predators.
· California has not allowed mountain lion hunting for nearly 25 years.· Four Peaks is home to black bear, deer, javelina, bighorn sheep, mountain lions and other animals.· Voters made it a permanent ban in 1990 with the passage of Prop. 117, the so-called mountain lion initiative.· And although not mentioned in the initiative, it does mean mountain lions could eventually be hunted as part of that management.· One of my first memories was when he shot a mountain lion and he let me shoot it too.· Another woman was killed by a mountain lion in 1994.· San Jose was not yet a city of thirty thousand, Silicon Valley a stronghold of orchards and roaming mountain lions.· The likelihood of being killed by a mountain lion is still minimal.
· From the highest mountain pass to the busiest city centre.· Employees try to avoid mountain passes, commercial airports and major cities.· Its passengers swing around like boxed chickens in the back of a livestock lorry on a mountain pass.· Their bags were filled with food and provisions light to carry but strong enough to bring them over the mountain passes.· One of the bulls had been bitten by a wildcat one night, on a mountain pass coming down from Dolpo.· I knew that true love, real love, could not make its way through the mountain passes to North Chittendon.· And then, at last, I crossed a high mountain pass to discover smoke drifting across my route.· It offers a magnificent view of the entire Adirohdacks, following the Hudson and then darting through the high mountain passes.
· When you are ready, fly towards a mountain peak, and land.· And its figuration is clearly seen: three mountain peaks, surrounded by the circle of the globe.· The mountain peaks and ridges clawed at the sky and Maggie stopped thinking altogether.· It seemed to have collapsed on top of the horizon where its mists were blunting the mountain peaks.· All around are the spectacular mountain peaks of the Jungfrau region.· I was hitching a ride to arrive at a mountain peak by dawn.· They had touched down on the mountain peak, above the clouds.· You gain altitude constantly from the river lowlands until you are under the mountain peaks.
· To reach this desolate spot you set off at sun-up and head toward mountain ranges which scarcely ever get closer.· It is a mountain range that dwarfs any subaerial system.· The latest software can imitate the texture of flesh or the topography of a mountain range.· Big white clouds sailed eastward toward the San Bernardino mountain range.· Clouds like brassy cauliflowers form over the steel-blue blades of the distant mountain range that borders the plain.· A wash cuts the mountain range in half.· Trails of misty Lochaber rain came down from the Nevis mountain range and the round purple heather-clad hills of Glen Loy.· The snow-capped peaks of the Sorondo mountain range provide a dramatic backdrop.
· We scrambled out of our tents shouting excitedly, straight into the pools of torchlight coming from the mountain rescue team.· This is a theme echoed by John Allen, leader of the Cairngorms mountain rescue team.· More than 100 rescuers including doctors, mountain rescue teams and other skiers, clawed at the snow.· This body acts as a guide to all mountain rescue teams.· Four-year-old Oscar went racing into the darkness as his owners helped make hot drinks for mountain rescue teams.· I was told that in Britain the weather has to be really dire before a mountain rescue search is called off.· I've been involved in the mountain rescue world for 14 years.
· When he got outside he turned to the right, up to the mountain road leading to his home.· We bought an old pickup and scouted the winding mountain roads.· Depending on the driver's experience of mountain roads, anything from 7 to 9 hours' driving is involved.· Father Devine took a mountain road, and stopped the car.· The accident occurred Saturday on a little-used mountain road full of dangerous curves.· He had been driving along the twisting mountain roads when he'd crashed; that much she knew.· Jumblatt, now a government minister, planted trees along the mountain roads during the war.
· Immediately after the stile is a lovely little mountain stream crossed by stepping stones.· Or would he perhaps look upon a clear mountain stream and complain about the absence of raw sewage or Industrial effluents?· Spring streams are generally shorter, typically forming the tributaries of mountain streams.· A racing mountain stream ran through the centre of the village.· It creeps over the boulders on the beds of the mountain streams, grazing on algae.· It survived a dunking in a mountain stream, and brought back a picture of a retrieving hand to prove it.· We paddle on seas the green of cat's eyes, and seas as clear as mountain streams.· Its newly tamed garden has fine views and a fast-running mountain stream.
· I imagined solemn covens chanting, straggling torchlight processions winding up to mountain tops, stone circles, sacred trees and springs.· On the eighteenth day a cloudy mountain top arose up across the sea.· When Abudah had made his way through this slimy cavern he emerged upon a mountain top in the clean air.· One last hike to a mountain top?· The mountain tops hadn't been their chosen destination.· Straight and fast flew Bower-bird as he made for the mountain top.· Soon the two partners had landed on the mountain top, and they got busy among the berry bushes.· An intermediate sprint, whether at a mountain top or some other place along the route.
· I have experienced this kind of world in the mountain villages of Crete.· In fact, she had spent her entire life in that impoverished mountain village.· Ancient tradition remains powerful, and stories of witches and snake charmers are still whispered high in the remote mountain villages.· Half day trip to the mountain village of Macugnaga.· We rounded Cape Andrea and anchored in Marciana Marina harbour below the same mountain village on the north side of the island.· It was then that the city pastors began asking their brethren in the mountain villages to organise sanctuary for the refugees.· In 1930 he went to Bavaria to see the passion play at the mountain village of Oberammergau.· In Asturias there was a strong tradition of early migration in the poor mountain villages.
VERB· He climbed the glass mountain and the golden steps.· Hicks said, we just climbed your goddamn mountain.· We applaud this kind of person when they climb mountains, cross deserts, sail oceans and survive against incredible odds.· If climbing the mountain was easy, assembling a video record of May 3, I990, was not.· Asking for change can be likened to persuading some one to climb a mountain.· Itfelt like something else, like climbing a mountain that rose into the clouds and had no top and no end.· He climbed the mountain easily, reached the top, and disappeared.· They have climbed mountains and canoed for eight-day stretches in isolated wilderness.
· Their native land consisted of a central plain surrounded by mountains.· The annual recharge to this natural ground-water reservoir from the surrounding mountains is at least 700, 000 acre-feet.· Athens is surrounded by mountains which trap pollution.· Because Phaestos sits on a hill, we get a wide sense of the valley and the surrounding mountains.· It is a large village in open meadowland at the head of the Ziller Valley, and is surrounded by steep mountains.· There also are countless hiking trails near the lake and in the surrounding mountains.· In winter the situation is exacerbated by cold air which seals in the dirt, preventing it from escaping over surrounding mountains.· The Mormon Lake area is surrounded by ponderosa pines, and the lodge sits in a small valley surrounded by mountains.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► move mountains► a mountain of something/mountains of something► (have) a mountain to climb
1a very high hill: - Have you contributed a great deal this year to the butter mountain?
- The whole point of those reforms was to get rid of the food mountains.
- She was only five minutes late! You're making a mountain out of a molehill.
the highest mountain in Austria the Rocky Mountains a steep mountain road magnificent mountain ranges (=lines of mountains) snow-capped mountain peaks (=tops of mountains) a mountain rescue team (=a group of experienced climbers who help people to safety from a mountain) She was the first British woman to climb the mountain.2a mountain of something/mountains of something a very large pile or amount of something: I’ve got mountains of paperwork to deal with. Her husband went off with another woman and left her facing a mountain of debt.3food/butter etc mountain a very large amount of food, butter etc that has been produced but is not needed or used4make a mountain out of a molehill to treat a problem as if it was very serious when in fact it is not5(have) a mountain to climb British English used to say that someone has a lot of work to do to achieve their aim, especially when you believe it will be difficult6move mountains to do things that seem impossible: I have great faith in the power of love to move mountains.GRAMMAR: Patterns with mountainin the mountains• You use in the mountains to refer to an area with several mountains: · They went climbing in the mountains.· We stayed in a little village in the mountains. ✗Don’t say: on the mountains | in the mountainon the mountain• You use on the mountain when referring to one particular mountain: · They lost their way and had to spend a night on the mountain. ✗Don’t say: in the mountainCOLLOCATIONSadjectiveshigh· These mountains are much higher than any in Europe.rugged mountains (=rough and uneven)· the spectacular scenery of rugged mountainsa snow-capped mountain (=with snow on the top)· beautiful views of snow-capped mountainsa distant mountain (=far away)· The sun was setting over the distant mountains.a great mountain (=a high, impressive mountain)· Here, great mountains are all around.a sacred mountain (=considered holy)· Mount Fuji is a sacred mountain.verbsgo/walk up a mountain (also ascend a mountain formal)· Carrie and Albert went up the mountain, neither of them speaking as they climbed.climb a mountain (=walk and/or climb to the top of a mountain)· Hillary had climbed all the big mountains in New Zealand.go/walk down a mountain· She lost her way as she went down the mountain.cross the mountains· We crossed the mountains between Spain and France.mountains rise (=go high into the sky)· The mountains rise above the plains.mountains soar/tower literary (=go very high into the sky)· The distant mountains soar abruptly towards the sky.mountain + NOUNa mountain range/chain (=a number of mountains in a line)· The Alps are the largest mountain range in Europe.a mountain top· Until the end of June you may find snow on the mountain tops.a mountain peak (=the top of a mountain)· Clouds hid the mountain peaks.a mountain slope (=the sides of a mountain)· Snow lay on the steep mountain slopes.a mountain pass (=a path or road between mountains)· Their journey took them through river valleys and over mountain passes.a mountain stream· The water was as clear and cold as a mountain stream.mountain air· a walk in the clear mountain airmountain rescue (=people who help people who are in difficulty on a mountain)· Mountain rescue teams were called out to search for the missing climbers.phrasesthe top of a mountain (also the summit of a mountain formal)· We climbed to the top of the mountain.the foot of a mountain (=the bottom of a mountain)· We’ll take the car to the foot of the mountain and walk from there.the side of a mountain· The path wound up the side of the mountain.THESAURUSmountain a very high hill: · the highest mountain in Austriahill an area of land that is higher than the land around it, which is like a mountain but smaller and usually has a rounded top: · We went for a walk in the hills.· The house is surrounded by woods, farmland and gentle hills.Mount (also Mt written abbreviation) used in the names of mountains. Don’t say ‘Fuji Mountain’ – say ‘Mount Fuji’: · Mount Everestcliff the steep side of an area of land, often next to the sea: · the white cliffs of Doverprecipice especially literary a very steep and dangerous cliff: · They were standing on the edge of a precipice.crag a high steep rock or mountain: · An eagle sailed over the high crags.ridge a long narrow area of high ground, especially at the top of a mountain: · I could see a group of climbers high up on a ridge.knoll a small round hill: · a grassy knollvolcano a mountain with a large hole at the top, through which lava (=hot liquid rock) is sometimes forced out: · the eruption of a volcanosummit the very highest point of a mountain: · the summit of Mt Everestpeak especially literary the top of a mountain: · the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas· a distant peakrange/chain a group of mountains or hills arranged in a line: · the mountain range that is part of the border between Norway and Swedenfoothills a group of smaller hills below a range of high mountains: · the Sierra foothills