rotunda

noun

ro·​tun·​da rō-ˈtən-də 

1

: a round building

especially : one covered by a dome

2

a

: a large round room

b

: a large central area (as in a hotel)

Examples of rotunda in a Sentence

We stood inside the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Recent Examples on the Web

Also admirable are other craft elements, notably the camera movement in two interior rotundas to capture the characters spiraling; the lighting of somber dough making scenes; and the use of songs of faith towards solemn worldbuilding, like when the Sisters cut the hair of lachrymose inductees. —Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025

Climb to the high steel trusses supporting on of the largest half-dome rotundas in the world. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Another forthcoming proposal would seek to erect a memorial in the Capitol rotunda alcove where a bust of Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest once stood. —Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Chair Yoga Class: 9 a.m., San Diego Country Estates, the rotunda at 16911 Gunn Stage Road. —Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian rotonda, from Latin rotunda, feminine of rotundus

First Known Use

circa 1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rotunda

• fenestra rotunda

Rhymes for rotunda

• lunda
• munda

Kids Definition

rotunda

noun

ro·​tun·​da rō-ˈtən-də 

1

: a round building

especially : one covered by a dome

2

a

: a large round room

b

: a large central area (as in a hotel)

Medical Definition

rotunda

see fenestra rotunda