cupola

noun

cu·​po·​la ˈkyü-pə-lə 

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

ˈkyü-pə-ləd 

adjective

Examples of cupola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Atop a cupola, the archangel Michael stands seven feet tall, his sword lowered, facing a Burger King. —Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025

The new setup will be in the open space north of the cupola, beneath the LED board, rather than facing the infield crowd. —Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025

And the exterior of the building, with its classical facade and copper-toned cupola, is stunning, its style only heightened as the city and its buildings have changed around it. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025

Renderings have shown brick streets, new cupolas, towers and pedestrian walkways for added retail. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin cupula, diminutive of cupa tub

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cupola

• azolla
• canola
• ebola
• fasciola
• granola
• victrola
• viola
• ayatollah
• variola
• bola
• cola
• colla

Kids Definition

cupola

noun

cu·​po·​la ˈkyü-pə-lə 

1

: a rounded roof or ceiling : dome

2

: a small structure built on top of a roof