volcano

 
Pronunciation: /vɒlˈkeɪnəʊ/

noun (plural volcanoes or volcanos)

  • a mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapour, and gas are or have been erupted from the earth’s crust.
  • a state or situation which is liable to erupt into anger or violence: Clare had been building up a silent volcano of resentment

Origin:

early 17th century: from Italian, from Latin Volcanus 'Vulcan'

Spelling help

The plural of volcano can be spelled either volcanoes or volcanos.