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
Synonyms
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
Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
Bingham spoke to The Times in 2022 about his roundabout road to acting.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 5 June 2024
Read more Letters to the Editor. Bay Area roads too
busy for roundabouts
Dearly departed Mr. Roadshow was a big fan of roundabouts, touting their use on Bay Area roads multiple times.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for roundabout 
Adjective
In a world of tightening borders, buying the passport of a particular country can be a roundabout way to a more distant destination.
—Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023
Bingham spoke to The Times in 2022 about his roundabout road to acting.
—Eva Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024
Noun
Construction also includes box culvert and retaining wall repairs, drainage improvements, updates at the roundabout on Racine Avenue (County Y) and the resurfacing of the Moorland Road park-and-ride.
—Alex Groth, Journal Sentinel, 5 June 2024
Read more Letters to the Editor. Bay Area roads too
busy for roundabouts
Dearly departed Mr. Roadshow was a big fan of roundabouts, touting their use on Bay Area roads multiple times.
—Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for roundabout
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'roundabout.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near roundabout
Cite this Entry
“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
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