cul-de-sac

noun

ˈkəl-di-ˌsak 

ˈku̇l-;

ˌkəl-di-ˈsak, 

ˌku̇l-

plural cul-de-sacs ˈkəl-di-ˌsaks 

ˈku̇l-;

ˌkəl-di-ˈsaks, 

ˌku̇l-

also culs-de-sac ˈkəl(z)-di-ˌsak 

ˈku̇l(z)-;

ˌkəl(z)-di-ˈsak, 

ˌku̇l(z)-

1

: a blind diverticulum or pouch

2

: a street or passage closed at one end

Our house is located on a quiet cul-de-sac.

3

: a fruitless or mistaken course or direction

If your job is a cul-de-sac, you have to quit or accept the fact that your career is over.

—Seth Godin

Examples of cul-de-sac in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 1950s abode rests beyond gates on less than a quarter-acre of land off a secluded cul-de-sac. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2025

Agents pursued the aggressor, eventually stopping the car in a cul-de-sac where the driver was arrested. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Adriana James-Rodil, FOXNews.com, 18 Nov. 2025

The nearly 3,200-square-foot property is nestled on a quiet cul-de-sac and boasts views of the surrounding canyons and greenery. —Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025

Sandher was accused of beating his neighbor in Fountain Valley in June 2023 after being told to drive more slowly in their cul-de-sac. —Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, bottom of the bag

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cul-de-sac

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• quarterback
• saddleback

Kids Definition

cul-de-sac

noun

ˈkəl-di-ˌsak 

ˈku̇l-

plural cul-de-sacs

ˈkəl-di-ˌsaks, 

ˈku̇l-

also culs-de-sac

ˈkəl(z)-di-ˌsak, 

ˈku̇l(z)-

: a street or passage closed at one end

Medical Definition

cul-de-sac

noun

ˈkəl-di-ˌsak, ˈku̇l-; ˌkəl-di-ˈ, ˌku̇l- 

plural culs-de-sac ˈkəl(z)-, ˈku̇l(z)-, ˌkəl(z)-, ˌku̇l(z)-  also cul-de-sacs -ˌsaks, -ˈsaks 

1

: a blind diverticulum or pouch

also : the closed end of such a pouch

2

: pouch of douglas