gondola

noun

gon·​do·​la ˈgän-də-lə 

(usual for sense 1)

gän-ˈdō- 

1

: a long narrow flat-bottomed boat with a high prow and stern used on the canals of Venice

2

a

: an elongated car attached to the underside of an airship

b

: an often spherical airtight enclosure suspended from a balloon for carrying passengers or instruments

c

: an enclosed car suspended from a cable and used for transporting passengers

especially : one used as a ski lift

3

: a heavy flat-bottomed boat used on New England rivers and on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers

4

: a railroad car with no top, a flat bottom, and fixed sides that is used chiefly for hauling heavy bulk commodities

Illustration of gondola

• gondola 1

Examples of gondola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Note that the opening dates and hours for the scenic gondolas, the observatory and planetarium, Cowboy Coaster, and tubing hill vary, so check online for timing specifics before booking your trip. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026

Up on the mountain, skiers and riders can find one of the best hills in the east, and non-skiers can enjoy a gondola ride to a mountaintop meal. —Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026

Over the last three days, the Telluride Professional Ski Patrol Association’s 70-plus members have been picketing near the gondola station in downtown Telluride, as well as walking through town and traveling to the neighboring Mountain Village to spread the word about their cause. —Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 29 Dec. 2025

The ride lineup will include five roller coasters along with a drop tower, boat ride, flying theater, gondola lift system, eccentric wheel and spirit animal carousel. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian dialect (Venetian), probably from Middle Greek kontoura small vessel

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gondola

noun

gon·​do·​la ˈgän-də-lə ( 

usual for sense 1

) 

gän-ˈdō-

1

: a long narrow boat with a high prow and stern used on the canals of Venice

2

: a railroad car with low sides and no top used for hauling loose freight

3

: an enclosure that hangs from something: as

a

: the part of a balloon in which passengers or instruments are carried

b

: a car that hangs from a cable and is used especially as a lift for skiers