A mountain does not have a standard definition that everyone agrees on. A mountain is defined by its height, volume, relief, steepness, spacing, continuity, and other characteristics. “a natural elevation of the earth surface rising more or less abruptly from the surrounding level and attaining an altitude which, relative to the elevation of the adjacent elevation, is impressive or notable” is the definition of a mountain in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Local usage may determine whether a landform is referred to as a mountain. “Some authorities regard eminences above 600 metres (1,969 ft) as mountains, those below being referred to as hills,” according to John Whittow’s Dictionary of Physical Geography.

A mountain is typically defined as any summit that is at least 2,000 feet (610 meters) high in the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom[6]. This definition is consistent with the official definition provided by the United Kingdom government, which states that, for access purposes, a mountain must have a summit that is at least 2,000 feet (610 meters) high.

In addition, some definitions include a requirement for topographical prominence, such as the mountain must rise 300 meters (984 feet) above the ground below it. At one time the US Load up on Geographic Names characterized a mountain as being 1,000 feet (305 m) or taller, however has deserted the definition since the 1970s. A hill was any similar landform that was lower than this height. However, the US Geological Survey has come to the conclusion that these terms currently lack technical definitions in the United States.