round·about
ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t 
: circuitous, indirect
had to take a roundabout route
roundaboutness
noun
1
: a circuitous route : detour
2
British
: merry-go-round
3
: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys especially in the 19th century
4
Examples of roundabout in a Sentence
Adjective
He took a roundabout route to town.
In a roundabout way, he told me that my help was not wanted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Skye Seipp, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Fox canceled the show, something the new season touches on in a roundabout way.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
John Tuohy, IndyStar, 23 July 2025
The enormous roundabout at Azadi Square was full of cars, yet still felt somehow deserted.
—Alireza Iranmehr, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
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Adjective
In other jurisdictions, this has served as a roundabout way to force police departments to pull those officers from street patrol or detective work, roles that regularly require police to testify about arrests or other incidents.
—Skye Seipp, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Fox canceled the show, something the new season touches on in a roundabout way.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
Noun
So Fishers and Hamilton County Tourism decided to move the house again, to a roundabout on USA Parkway, south of Ikea.
—John Tuohy, IndyStar, 23 July 2025
The enormous roundabout at Azadi Square was full of cars, yet still felt somehow deserted.
—Alireza Iranmehr, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
Cite this Entry
“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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