1
a(1)
: having every part of the surface or circumference equidistant from the center : shaped like a circle or ball
(2)
: cylindrical
a round peg
b
: approximately round
a round face
2
a
: having a full rounded shape : plump
the toddler's round belly
b
: having curves rather than angles
round corners
a round collar
3
4
: direct in utterance : outspoken
a round denunciation
5
: moving in or forming a circle
6
a
: brought to completion or perfection : finished
a good, round meal
b
: presented with lifelike fullness or vividness
The author creates a round character, full of faults and virtues.
7
: delivered with a swing of the arm
a round blow
8
a
: having full or unimpeded resonance or tone : sonorous
"Well, Sir," said Doctor Parker Peps in a round, deep, sonorous voice …—Charles Dickens
b
: pronounced with rounded lips : labialized
9
: of or relating to handwriting predominantly curved rather than angular
1
: around
2
: from beginning to end : through sense 2a
The bush stays green all year round.
1
a
: something (such as a circle, globe, or ring) that is round
b(1)
: a knot of people
(2)
: a circle of things
3
: a musical canon in which each part begins on the same note and is continuously repeated
4
a
: a rung of a ladder or a chair
b
: a rounded molding
5
a
: a circling or circuitous path or course
b
: motion in a circle or a curving path
6
a
: a route or circuit habitually covered (as by a security guard or police officer)
b
: a series of similar or customary calls or stops
They were always together, fighting to cure paralysis. An endless round of fundraisers, Congressional testimony.—Diane Sawyer
—often used in pluralYou see, in election time local politicians, aspirants for office, have a way of making the rounds of the saloons to get votes.—Jack London
… no one … was surprised to see him making the TV news rounds within hours of his announced termination …—Kristi Owram
especially
: a series of regularly scheduled professional calls on hospital patients made by a doctor or nurse
—usually used in plural
… if laboratory test results are not available to physicians when they make their routine morning rounds, they may have to delay patient management, repeat their rounds at a later time, and perhaps prolong their patients' hospital stays. —David A. Novis and Jane C. Dale
7
: a drink of liquor apiece served at one time to each person in a group
I'll buy the next round.
8
: a sequence of recurring routine or repetitive actions or events
went about my round of chores
the newest round of talks
9
: a period of time that recurs in a fixed pattern
the daily round
10
a
: one shot fired by a weapon or by many weapons in a military unit
b
: a unit of ammunition consisting of the parts necessary to fire one shot
11
a
: a unit of action in a contest or game which comprises a stated period, covers a prescribed distance, includes a specified number of plays, or gives each player one turn
b
: a division of a tournament in which each contestant plays an opponent
12
: a prolonged burst (as of applause)
13
a
: a cut of meat (such as beef) especially between the rump and the lower leg see beef illustration
b
: a slice of food
a round of bread
14
: a rounded or curved part
see also:
rounded; rounding; rounds
1
2
a
b
: to pass part of the way around
slipped while rounding first base
4
: to bring to completion or perfection
—often used with off or out
rounded off the meal with coffee and dessert
5
: to express as a round number
—often used with off
11.3572 rounded off to two decimal places becomes 11.36
1
a
: to become round, plump, or shapely
b
: to reach fullness or completion
2
: to follow a winding course : bend
see also:
1
: around
2
: all during : throughout
round the year
rounded; rounding; rounds
Cite this Entry
“Round.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/round. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.
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