Mount

/maʊnt/

verbBeginner📊CommonAction
5 meanings1 idiom/phrase3 questions

Definitions

5 meanings
1

To get on or climb onto something, especially a horse or other animal.

/maʊnt/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To get up on something.

The knight mounted his steed and prepared for battle.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're about to ride a horse. To 'mount' it means to climb up and sit on its back. It's like getting on your bike or a swing set!

👶 For kids: To climb up on something, like a horse or a bike.

More Examples

2

He carefully mounted the ladder to reach the roof.

3

She mounted the stage with confidence.

How It's Used

Transportation

"She mounted her horse and rode off."

Sports

"The gymnast mounted the balance beam."

2

To fix something in position; to display or arrange something.

/maʊnt/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To set something in position.

The museum mounted a new exhibit of ancient artifacts.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're hanging a picture. To 'mount' it means to put it up on the wall, or fix it in a certain place, so it's visible. Think of hanging artwork or setting up a photo.

👶 For kids: To put something in a special place so you can see it, like putting a picture on the wall.

More Examples

2

The technician mounted the hard drive into the computer.

3

They mounted the security cameras around the building.

How It's Used

Art

"The gallery mounted the paintings on the walls."

Photography

"He mounted the camera on a tripod for stability."

Tip:Think of a picture on a wall; you 'mount' it there.
3

To increase, grow, or accumulate.

/maʊnt/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To increase.

The pressure on the dam mounted as the water level rose.

💡 Simply: Think about your bills! When they 'mount' up it means that there are more and more of them and that the total becomes larger. Like a stack of papers growing bigger and bigger.

👶 For kids: To get bigger and bigger, like a pile of toys.

More Examples

2

As the trial progressed, the evidence against him mounted.

3

Excitement about the new product is mounting.

How It's Used

Business

"The company's losses mounted during the recession."

Finance

"His debts mounted quickly."

Tip:Think of stacking things on top of each other to 'mount' in height.
4

A platform, frame, or support on which something is placed or fixed.

/maʊnt/

nounneutralmedium
Object

A thing on which to mount.

The photographer used a tripod mount for stability.

💡 Simply: It's like the frame around a picture or the stand for a camera. It's the thing that holds something in place so you can use it or look at it.

👶 For kids: A thing that holds something in place.

More Examples

2

The picture was protected by a sturdy mount.

3

He replaced the worn mount on the telescope.

How It's Used

Photography

"The lens needs a mount to attach to the camera body."

Art

"The artist framed the drawing with an elegant mount."

Tip:Think of a picture frame or lens 'mount'.
5

A horse or other animal used for riding.

/maʊnt/

nounneutralmedium
Object

A horse or other animal for riding.

The cavalryman’s mount was a powerful stallion.

💡 Simply: It’s the animal you ride, like a horse. If you're a cowboy, your mount is the horse you ride all day!

👶 For kids: A horse or animal you ride on.

More Examples

2

The rider carefully adjusted the saddle on his mount.

3

His mount stumbled on the uneven terrain.

How It's Used

Historical

"The knight rode into battle on his mount."

Equestrian

"She groomed her mount before the race."

Tip:Think of the animal you 'mount' to ride.

Idioms & expressions

mount up

To increase or accumulate.

"Worries are mounting up."

From Middle English *mounten*, from Old French monter ("to go up, ascend"), from Vulgar Latin *montare*, from Latin mons ("mountain").

The word has been used since the 13th century, primarily in the context of ascending or climbing. The noun form, referring to a support, came later.

Memory tip

Think of climbing a mountain - you 'mount' it.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"mountain; to go up"

mount a horsemount an exhibitmount pressuremount a campaignmount a defensemount the stage

Common misspellings

mouintmonte

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written