cul-de-sac

noun

ˈkəl-di-ˌsak 

ˈku̇l-;

ˌkəl-di-ˈsak,

ˌku̇l-

plural cul-de-sacs ˈkəl-di-ˌsaks 

ˈku̇l-;

ˌkəl-di-ˈsaks,

ˌku̇l-

also culs-de-sac ˈkəl(z)-di-ˌsak 

ˈku̇l(z)-;

ˌkəl(z)-di-ˈsak,

ˌku̇l(z)-

1

: a blind diverticulum or pouch

2

: a street or passage closed at one end

Our house is located on a quiet cul-de-sac.

3

: blind alley

If your job is a cul-de-sac, you have to quit or accept the fact that your career is over.

—Seth Godin

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Soakhies got into Rhodes’ vehicle and then was robbed and shot, with Rhodes dumping the body at the end of a cul-de-sac off Oyler Road near Lynda Court. —Warren Kulo | [e-mail], al, 17 May 2023

Cedar Park Road continues into a cul-de-sac with Halsey Road, so there is no entrance to the neighborhood off Admiral Drive. —Jennifer Donatelli, Washington Post, 16 May 2023

LoDo Courtesy image This four-bedroom condo is in a 1911 loft building on a quiet cul-de-sac near the river, Union Station, Coors Field, the arts district, and downtown. —The Week Staff, The Week, 7 May 2023

In Keller near Westlake’s Circle T Ranch and the Alliance Texas development, the 1.2-acre lot at 2109 Tranquil Court is situated on a cul-de-sac. —Allie Beth Allman & Associates, Dallas News, 3 May 2023

The chase ended in a cul-de-sac, and Berki was fatally shot. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2023

Competitive games in the neighborhood cul-de-sac against family and neighbors molded Briggs’ ability to move forward quickly after successes and shortcomings. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2023

The property is located at the end of a private cul-de-sac on Yankee Beach Way and is hidden behind lush landscaping. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2023

Paul paid about $1.4 million for the house in 2012, which is located on a quiet cul-de-sac not far from Chateau Marmont, and sold it eight years later to Shadyac for $2.2 million. —Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

French, literally, bottom of the bag

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

cul-de-sac

noun

ˈkəl-di-ˌsak, ˈku̇l-; ˌkəl-di-ˈ, ˌku̇l- 

plural culs-de-sac ˈkəl(z)-, ˈku̇l(z)-, ˌkəl(z)-, ˌku̇l(z)-  also cul-de-sacs -ˌsaks, -ˈsaks 

1

: a blind diverticulum or pouch

also : the closed end of such a pouch

2

: pouch of douglas