cupola

noun cu·po·la \ ˈkyü-pə-lə \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Definition of cupola

1 a : a rounded vault resting on a usually circular base and forming a roof or a ceiling

b : a small structure built on top of a roof

2 : a vertical cylindrical furnace for melting iron in the foundry that has tuyeres and tapping spouts near the bottom

3 : a raised observation post in the roof of a railroad caboose

—

cupolaed

play \ˈkyü-pə-ləd\ adjective

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Recent Examples of cupola from the Web

The building on 440 Drake Circle was especially unique, with a cupola that looked out onto the main street.

— adesuwa agbonile, sacbee, "Sierra Oaks residents worry this renovated bank will clash with Tudor-style homes," 7 July 2018
At its peak stands the Church of St. Leopold, an oratory with stunning stained glass by Moser and angels with golden wings beneath a gilded-iron cupola.

— a. j. goldmann, WSJ, "How Otto Wagner Made Vienna Modern," 12 June 2018
The original building on 440 Drake Circle was well known in the area for its unique architecture and cupola.

— adesuwa agbonile, sacbee, "Sierra Oaks residents worry this renovated bank will clash with Tudor-style homes," 7 July 2018
An 1891 house in Florida known as The Barnacle (pictured above) features a cupola, or small dome, on its roof, which functions as a ventilator.

— maria carter, Country Living, "4 Design Elements That Cooled Houses Before the Invention of Air Conditioning," 15 July 2016
Behind them, floating above trucks and fruit stalls and huge vats of frying falafel, the golden cupola of the Dome of the Rock peeks over the fortress-like parapet of the Damascus Gate.

— noga tarnopolsky, latimes.com, "Step by step, bridging the divide between Arab and Jew in Jerusalem," 14 June 2018
His copper roof and cupola have been faithfully reproduced, but improved to avoid ice dams.

— cate mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "A New Hampshire art museum faces the future," 10 May 2018
Located in the southeastern corner of the property next to Camino Del Mar, the Town Hall is topped by a cupola that is the highest point of the low-slung structure.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "After almost 60 years, a new civic center for Del Mar," 28 May 2018
The two rail cars have loft beds in the cupolas, and sleep five.

— larry bleiberg, USA TODAY, "Glamping USA: Stay in a Hobbit hut, a covered wagon or a caboose," 25 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cupola.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cupola

Italian, from Latin cupula, diminutive of cupa tub

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1549

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Railroad Terms

cowcatcher, gauge, vestibule, yard

CUPOLA Defined for English Language Learners

cupola

noun

Definition of cupola for English Language Learners

: a rounded roof or part of a roof
: a small structure that is built on top of a roof

CUPOLA Defined for Kids

cupola

noun cu·po·la \ ˈkyü-pə-lə \

Definition of cupola for Students

1 : a small structure built on top of a roof

2 : a rounded roof or ceiling : dome

Learn More about cupola

Spanish Central: Translation of cupola Nglish: Translation of cupola for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cupola for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cupola

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cupola

Definition of cupola

cupolaed

Recent Examples of cupola from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cupola

Other Railroad Terms

CUPOLA Defined for English Language Learners

cupola

Definition of cupola for English Language Learners

CUPOLA Defined for Kids

cupola

Definition of cupola for Students

Learn More about cupola

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cupolaed

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Definition of cupola for English Language Learners

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