WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
sur•mount /sɚˈmaʊnt/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to overcome;
conquer:to surmount tremendous difficulties.
sur•mount
(sər mount′),USA pronunciation v.t.
sur•mount′a•ble, adj.
sur•mount′a•ble•ness, n.
sur•mount′er, n.
- to mount upon;
get on the top of;
mount upon and cross over:to surmount a hill. - to get over or across (barriers, obstacles, etc.).
- to prevail over:to surmount tremendous difficulties.
- to be on top of or above:a statue surmounting a pillar.
- to furnish with something placed on top or above:to surmount a tower with a spire.
- [Obs.]
- to surpass in excellence.
- to exceed in amount.
- Anglo-French surmounter, Middle French. See sur-1, mount1
- Middle English surmounten 1325–75
sur•mount′a•ble•ness, n.
sur•mount′er, n.
'surmountable' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):