mount
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to mount stairs.
- Synonyms:
- scale
- Antonyms:
- descend
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to get up on (a platform, a horse, etc.).
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to set or place at an elevation.
to mount a house on stilts.
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to furnish with a horse or other animal for riding.
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to set or place (a person) on horseback.
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to organize, as an army.
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to prepare and launch, as an attack or a campaign.
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to raise or put into position for use, as a gun.
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(of a fortress or warship) to have or carry (guns) in position for use.
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to go or put on guard, as a sentry or watch.
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to attach to or fix on or in a support, backing, setting, etc..
to mount a photograph; to mount a diamond in a ring.
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to arrange for display.
to mount a museum exhibit.
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to provide (a play, musical comedy, opera, etc.) with scenery, costumes, and other equipment for production.
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to prepare (an animal body or skeleton) as a specimen.
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(of a male animal) to climb upon (a female) for copulation.
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Microscopy.
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to prepare (a slide) for microscopic investigation.
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to prepare (a sample) for examination by a microscope, as by placing it on a slide.
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verb (used without object)
noun
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the act or a manner of mounting.
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a horse, other animal, or sometimes a vehicle, as a bicycle, used, provided, or available for riding.
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an act or occasion of riding a horse, especially in a race.
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a support, backing, setting, or the like, on or in which something is, or is to be, mounted or fixed.
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an ornamental metal piece applied to a piece of wooden furniture.
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Microscopy. a prepared slide.
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a distinctive metal feature on a sheath or scabbard, as a locket or chape.
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Philately. hinge.
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Printing. a wooden or metal block to which a plate is secured for printing.
noun
verb
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to go up (a hill, stairs, etc); climb
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to get up on (a horse, a platform, etc)
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io increase; accumulate
excitement mounted
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(tr) to fix onto a backing, setting, or support
to mount a photograph
to mount a slide
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(tr) to provide with a horse for riding, or to place on a horse
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(of male animals) to climb onto (a female animal) for copulation
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(tr) to prepare (a play, musical comedy, etc) for production
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(tr) to plan and organize (a compaign, an exhibition, etc)
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(tr) military to prepare or launch (an operation)
the Allies mounted an offensive
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(tr) to prepare (a skeleton, dead animal, etc) for exhibition as a specimen
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(tr) to place or carry (weapons) in such a position that they can be fired
-
See guard
noun
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a backing, setting, or support onto which something is fixed
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the act or manner of mounting
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a horse for riding
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a slide used in microscopy
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philately
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a small transparent pocket in an album for a postage stamp
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another word for hinge
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noun
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a mountain or hill: used in literature and (when cap.) in proper names
Mount Everest
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(in palmistry) any of the seven cushions of flesh on the palm of the hand
Synonym Usage
See climb.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has mountedperfect 3rd person singular
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have mountedperfect
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has been mountingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is mountingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am mountingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been mountingperfect progressive
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are mountingprogressive
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mountssingular 3rd person
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mountingparticiple
Past
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had mountedperfect
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had been mountingperfect progressive
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were mountingprogressive plural
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was mountingprogressive singular
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mountedsimple
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mountedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of mount1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English mounten, from Old French munter, monter, Vulgar Latin (unattested) montāre, derivative of Latin mont- (stem of mōns ) mount 2
Origin of mount2
First recorded before 900; Middle English mount(e), mont, munt(e), Old English munt “mount, hill, mountain,” from Latin mont- (inflectional stem of mōns ) “mountain, hill”
Explanation
To mount is to climb up something, like a ladder, or get on the back of something, like a horse. You can also mount something on another object, like a camera on a tripod or a sticker on a notebook. The word mountain can help you remember that one way to mount is to climb. You can mount a mountain or a flight of stairs. You can also mount a pony by getting on its back or a bicycle by climbing onto it. The oldest meaning of mount is, in fact, "mountain," from the Old French word mont, which has its root in the Latin montem for “mountain."
Vocabulary lists containing mount
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5
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The New SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The ACT Reading Test: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At the time, she and Shell suspected Cipriani was behind an online whisper campaign to spread rumors about Shell just as he was trying to mount a comeback at Paramount.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026
However, it’s also about 20 miles from Iran’s mainland, from which Iran’s military could mount and resupply a steady barrage of missiles, drones, and even artillery fire.
From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026
Advantage plans can be economical—until health conditions mount.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
Nick Welker said he only posts online twice a week instead of daily as his farm responsibilities mount and family grows.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
The first horseman spurred his mount to a gallop.
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
