fountain pen

noun

: a pen containing an ink reservoir that automatically feeds a metal writing point
The fountain pen—which hasn't been a necessary tool of daily life since the ballpoint pen was invented in 1938—has become not only a prestige possession but also a defiant symbol of antitechnology sentiments.Heidi Ellison

Examples of fountain pen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fancy metallic pens or fountain pens can sometimes cause issues with airport security. Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025 Browse socks, cookbooks, and desk essentials like fountain pens and quirky sticky notes designed by Japanese illustrators. Lauren Sieben, Midwest Living, 27 May 2026 The collection includes six color variations, fountain pen and rollerball, limited to 76 pieces. Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 A couple of hundred years ago, pens with steel nibs were introduced, and in the 19th century, fountain pens were invented that could hold a reservoir of ink in a rubber bladder in the barrel. New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fountain pen

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fountain pen was in 1710

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Cite this Entry

“Fountain pen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fountain%20pen. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

fountain pen

noun
: a pen with ink inside that is fed to the writing point as needed

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