rotunda

noun

ro·​tun·​da rō-ˈtən-də 

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

In the aftermath of the rotunda altercation, police apprehended Stewart, leading him back downstairs to a room by the visitor center. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025

The popular 18th century-era panopticon design, for example, emphasized surveillance and control, pointing all prison cells towards a central rotunda from where they could be easily observed. —Abdallah Fayyad, Vox, 7 Mar. 2025

Many thought her outfit choice was inappropriate for such a historic occasion in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025

The Nashville institution announced the 2025 inductees during a press conference Tuesday morning in the Hall’s rotunda, where the plaques honoring the new class will be installed later this year. —Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian rotonda, from Latin rotunda, feminine of rotundus

First Known Use

circa 1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rotunda

• fenestra rotunda

Rhymes for rotunda

• lunda
• munda

Kids Definition

rotunda

noun

ro·​tun·​da rō-ˈtən-də 

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