Mountain vs. Butte — What's the Difference?

A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. A mountain differs from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is larger than a hill, typically rising at least 300 metres (1000 feet) above the surrounding land.

In geomorphology, a butte () is an isolated hill with steep, often vertical sides and a small, relatively flat top; buttes are smaller landforms than mesas, plateaus, and tablelands. The word butte comes from a French word meaning knoll (but of any size); its use is prevalent in the Western United States, including the southwest where mesa (Spanish for "table") is used for the larger landform.

Abbr. Mt. or Mtn. A natural elevation of the earth's surface having considerable mass, generally steep sides, and a height greater than that of a hill.

An isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top (similar to but narrower than a mesa).

A large heap

A hill that rises abruptly from the surrounding area and has sloping or vertical sides and a flat top.

A huge quantity

(US) An isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top.

(countable) An elevation of land of considerable dimensions rising more or less abruptly, forming a conspicuous figure in the landscape, usually having a small extent of surface at its summit.

A detached low mountain, or high rising abruptly from the general level of the surrounding plain; - applied to peculiar elevations in the Rocky Mountain region.

(countable) Something very large in size or quantity; a huge amount; a great heap.

A hill that rises abruptly from the surrounding region; has a flat top and sloping sides

(figuratively) A difficult task or challenge.

A town in southwestern Montana; center for mining copper

Wine from Malaga made from grapes that grow on a mountain.

A woman's large breast.

(cartomancy) The twenty-first Lenormand card.

A large mass of earth and rock, rising above the common level of the earth or adjacent land; earth and rock forming an isolated peak or a ridge; an eminence higher than a hill; a mount.

A range, chain, or group of such elevations; as, the White Mountains.

A mountainlike mass; something of great bulk; a large quantity.

Of or pertaining to a mountain or mountains; growing or living on a mountain; found on or peculiar to mountains; among mountains; as, a mountain torrent; mountain pines; mountain goats; mountain air; mountain howitzer.

Like a mountain; mountainous; vast; very great.

A land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

A large number or amount;

Relating to or located in mountains;