cupola

noun

cu·​po·​la ˈkyü-pə-lə 

1

a

: a rounded vault resting on a usually circular base and forming a roof or a ceiling

b

: a small structure built on top of a roof

2

: a vertical cylindrical furnace for melting iron in the foundry that has tuyeres and tapping spouts near the bottom

3

: a raised observation post in the roof of a railroad caboose

cupolaed

ˈkyü-pə-ləd 

adjective

Examples of cupola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The apartment is in one of two Rosario Candela buildings that flank Park Avenue at East 73rd Street, a limestone-and-brick co-op that rises into a crest of terraces and a cupola, a Candela trademark. —Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024

Veined marble columns and glass cupolas greet you at the Crosse Keys in the City of London. —Will Noble, CNN, 23 Nov. 2024

There’s a rooftop cupola, a vantage point to see the harbor and downtown’s skyline. —Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2024

This configuration would allow further upgrades by adding such parts as a robotic arm, a large viewing area modeled after the ISS cupola, and extra modules from international partners. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin cupula, diminutive of cupa tub

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

cupola

noun

cu·​po·​la ˈkyü-pə-lə 

1

: a rounded roof or ceiling : dome

2

: a small structure built on top of a roof