rotunda

noun

ro·​tun·​da rō-ˈtən-də How to pronounce rotunda (audio)
1
: a round building
especially : one covered by a dome
2
a
: a large round room
b
: a large central area (as in a hotel)

Examples of rotunda in a Sentence

We stood inside the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building.
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.
The rink was a unique part of history, Kathy said, one of the world’s last remaining rotunda rinks, where the wooden planks on the ground are curved. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026 When Raphael died, a hundred torches were carried by painters at his funeral, and he was buried in the rotunda of the Pantheon. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 The highlight of the visit is the bank's interior rotunda with 240 glass panels surrounding a central skylight. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2026 Then head inside on the second floor rotunda to see the marvelous California history mural and the breathtaking globe chandelier. — Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rotunda

Word History

Etymology

Italian rotonda, from Latin rotunda, feminine of rotundus

First Known Use

circa 1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rotunda was circa 1566

Phrases Containing rotunda

Rhymes for rotunda

See All Rhymes for rotunda

Browse Nearby Words

rotund
rotunda
rotundate
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Cite this Entry

“Rotunda.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotunda. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rotunda

noun
ro·​tun·​da rō-ˈtən-də How to pronounce rotunda (audio)
1
: a round building
especially : one covered by a dome
2
a
: a large round room
b
: a large central area (as in a hotel)

Medical Definition

rotunda

see fenestra rotunda

More from Merriam-Webster on rotunda

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rotunda

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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