drinking fountain

noun

1. a water fountain that ejects a jet of water for drinking without a cup.

drinking fountain

noun

1. a device for providing a flow or jet of drinking water, usually in public places

Word History and Origins

Origin of drinking fountain¹

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

He has set up 29 drinking fountains on his land so fewer migrants will die of dehydration.

From Los Angeles Times

Menacing signs threaten trespassers with death, but Mr Chilton has also installed drinking fountains so nobody dies making the hazardous journey.

From BBC

Pincetl described the concept as a “generous city” — one in which neighborhoods have welcoming infrastructure such as corner drinking fountains and benches, and where shade structures and tree canopies line residential streets and commercial corridors.

From Los Angeles Times

“On campus there were no ‘colored’ or ‘white’ signs on the drinking fountains or bathroom doors,” General Cooper wrote in a reminiscence published in Notre Dame magazine in 2014.

From New York Times

On the outskirts of Barcelona, Canaletas, a company that makes and exports drinking fountains, is implementing the new norms imposed by the regional government, including a 25% reduction in water consumption by industries.

From BBC

Related Words

• water fountain

More About Drinking Fountain

What is a drinking fountain?

A drinking fountain is a device that ejects a fountainlike stream of water that can be drunk from without a cup.

Drinking fountains are often for public use—they provide access to drinking water in places like government buildings, schools, and parks.

There are many different designs for drinking fountains, but they all generally work by ejecting a jet of water that can be drunk from directly.

Drinking fountains are also commonly called water fountains, which should not be confused with the kind of fountain that’s mainly for decoration, such as in city plazas, though of course such fountains also use water (but not for drinking).

Example: Why would I buy a bottle of water from the vending machine when I could just fill up my water bottle for free from the drinking fountain?

Where does drinking fountain come from?

The first records of the term drinking fountain come from the mid-1800s.

In the U.S., the terms drinking fountain and water fountain are both commonly used. In a few areas, though, including Wisconsin and parts of New England, people use the regional term bubbler to refer to a drinking fountain.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for drinking fountain?

• water fountain
• bubbler

What are some words that share a root or word element with drinking fountain? 

 

• drinking water
• drink
• fountain

What are some words that often get used in discussing drinking fountain?

• water
• drink
• public
• park
• school

How is drinking fountain used in real life?

Drinking fountains are commonly found in public places, especially large office buildings, schools, and parks.

Ooh look @dlrcc have installed a drinking fountain in Marley Park! Can we have one in Cabinteely Park too? https://t.co/c63GyYbgnP

— Cabinteely Life (@CabinteelyLife) September 6, 2018

Me: I need a drink from the drinking fountain

Wisconsin native: you mean bubbler

Me: can we not do this

— j i l l i a n (@JillianJones8) October 14, 2013

if you drink from the drinking fountain WITHOUT slurping then YOU’RE the weird one

— The Palmer Squares (@PalmerSquares) May 6, 2018

 

 

Try using drinking fountain!

Is drinking fountain used correctly in the following sentence? 

The kids love to go swimming in the drinking fountain.