cupola

noun

cu·​po·​la ˈkyü-pə-lə How to pronounce cupola (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of cupola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The insurer’s Colonial Revival-style headquarters — crowned with a temple-like structure and cupola — has stood on Farmington Avenue since 1931. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025 Other than engaging in numerous discussions, the city has yet to receive anything official. World Cup and cupolas The more time that passes, the prospect of the Plaza making significant changes by the time the city hosts multiple games for the World Cup in June 2026 seems less likely. Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025 The new setup will be in the open space north of the cupola, beneath the LED board, rather than facing the infield crowd. Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025 April 1, 2025 See more Early Tuesday morning, SpaceX shared a video taken from the open nosecone of Resilience's forward hatch, revealing the spacecraft's domed cupola window with a white-blanketed landmass of one of Earth's poles passing below. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cupola

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Latin cupula, diminutive of cupa tub

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cupola was in 1549

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cupola.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cupola. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

cupola

noun
cu·​po·​la ˈkyü-pə-lə How to pronounce cupola (audio)
1
: a rounded roof or ceiling : dome
2
: a small structure built on top of a roof

More from Merriam-Webster on cupola

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!