mother lodes

noun

plural of mother lode
as in gold mines
an abundant source the university has long been a mother lode of athletic talent, with many alumni joining the rarefied ranks of the professionals

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of mother lodes Beyond mother lodes of oil or natural gas, ready cash can also be generated with diamond or gold mines, precious metals, and rare minerals. — Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mother lodes
  1. gold mines
  2. treasure troves
  3. repositories
Noun
  • Its purpose was to serve the silver and gold mines of the San Juan Mountains, but almost immediately the road also began to attract tourists.
    — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The ministry described its copper resources as equivalent to several large copper mines and its gold resources as exceeding those of 10 large gold mines.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of gold mines
Noun
  • Like kingdoms of old, SaaS companies are sitting on treasure troves of data.
    — Srinivas Velamoor, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Thrift stores are treasure troves of unique, valuable items that can elevate your home and personal style.
    — Heather Bien, Martha Stewart, 19 July 2026
Definition of treasure troves
Noun
  • For Thacker, surfaces are repositories of memory and emotion; in the bathrooms, the walls have been entirely clad in tiles inspired by her son’s childhood drawings.
    — Amir Capogrossi Badreddine, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Deep Isolation’s concept could eventually use horizontal, vertical, or slanted underground repositories.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of repositories

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mother lode
mother lodes
motherly
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Cite this Entry

“Mother lodes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mother%20lodes. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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