Mount facts for kids
The word Mount can mean several different things. It can be a part of a name for a mountain, or it can describe the act of putting something on top of another thing. It can also refer to the object that something is placed upon. Let's explore these meanings!
Mount: A Name for Mountains
When you hear "Mount" as part of a name, it often refers to a mountain. It's like saying "Mountain Everest" but shorter. For example, some famous mountains include:
- Mount Vesuvius, a famous volcano in Italy.
- Mount McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America.
- Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, found in the Himalayas.
Mount: As an Action (Verb)
To "mount" something means to put it onto something else, often to fix it in place or to get on top of it. Here are some ways we use "mount" as an action:
- An artist might mount their painting on a piece of cardboard to make it stronger.
- A photographer will mount their camera on a tripod to keep it steady.
- A gun can be mounted on the deck of a ship, meaning it's fixed there for use.
- A rider mounts a horse when they get on its back to ride.
- A gymnast mounts the balance beam, which means they get onto it to start their routine.
Mount: As an Object (Noun)
A "mount" can also be the thing that something else is placed on or attached to. It's like a base or a stand. This can be a piece of equipment, such as:
- A lens mount on a camera. This is the special part of the camera where different lenses can be securely attached.
It can also be a flat, stiff piece of material used for display:
- A mount for a stuffed animal. This is often a piece of polished wood where a taxidermied animal is fixed for display.
- A picture mount. This is a piece of cardboard that a photograph or other picture is attached to, often to frame it nicely.
Sometimes, "mount" can even refer to an animal that someone rides:
- "Frederick's mount was a fine black horse." This means the horse Frederick was riding.
- "Clumsy Jack's mount was a skinny old goat." This means the goat Clumsy Jack was riding.
Mount: In Computers
In the world of computers, "mount" has a special meaning.
- To mount a file system means to make it ready and accessible for your computer to use. For example, when you plug in a USB drive, your computer "mounts" it so you can see and use the files on it.
- The `mount` command is a tool used in Unix-like computer systems to connect file systems to the main system.
- In streaming software, "mount" can refer to a specific point where audio or video streams are made available.
