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

Even so, their assembly in the Capitol rotunda may have sent the wrong message. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025

During the ceremony, held in the Capitol rotunda, Barron Trump, 18, approached and shook hands with former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris. —Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

Crowded into the Capitol rotunda, alongside senators, Supreme Court justices and former presidents were a conspicuous handful of foreign leaders. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2025

Trump's inauguration is taking place inside the Capitol rotunda due to weather. —Natalie Daher, Axios, 20 Jan. 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

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