dome

1 of 2

noun

1
archaic : a stately building : mansion
2
: a large hemispherical roof or ceiling
3
: a natural formation or structure that resembles the dome or cupola of a building
4
: a form of crystal composed of planes parallel to a lateral axis that meet above in a horizontal edge like a roof
5
: an upward fold in rock whose sides dip uniformly in all directions
6
: a roofed sports stadium
7
: a person's head
domal adjective

dome

2 of 2

verb

domed; doming

transitive verb

1
: to cover with a dome
2
: to form into a dome

intransitive verb

: to swell upward or outward like a dome

Examples of dome in a Sentence

Noun the dome of the Capitol building The team's new stadium is a dome.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Underneath a glittering chandelier that hangs from the main dome of a Rochester Hills mosque, Ather Quader reflected on the modest origins of the Islamic center that was established almost half a century ago. Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 He was singularly prepared to meet the moment that awaited him under the dome of the California Capitol. Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2024 The showing was undeniably magnificent, the midnight dome transformed by billowing smudges of light. Sophy Roberts, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Feb. 2024 That’s why so many people use clear plastic domes over their germination trays. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 16 Feb. 2024 The appams, lacy domes made from a coconut-and-rice batter, are because of her background—her parents came from the robust community of Christians in the Kerala state of India. Priya Krishna, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2024 Although the big game is still another week away, since Allegiant Stadium is a dome, rain wouldn't impact the game itself. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024 The match-up between the 49ers and bitter rival Kansas City Chiefs inside the Raiders’ palatial desert dome, Allegiant Stadium, would not have made the organization’s late Hall of Fame owner Al Davis very happy. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 11 Feb. 2024 City officials on Monday kicked off the start of construction of Detroit’s first air dome sports complex. Detroit Free Press, 23 Jan. 2024
Verb
The circular room—with its earthen floor, domed ceiling, petrified-wood water feature, and illuminated quartz crystal—felt womb-like. Katie James Watkinson, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2024 January 29, 2024 Before the NCAA Tournament made huge arenas and domes the host sites for later rounds, The Pit hosted the 1983 Final Four. N.C. Ron Counts, Idaho Statesman, 30 Jan. 2024 Gothic Revival Architecture: Key Features and Design Ideas Feature Marble and Stone Marble columns, mosaic floors, and domed buildings lined with golden detailing steal the show throughout Wonka’s trailer, and there are easy ways to bring hints of these features into your own home. Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2023 There will be plenty of bells and whistles expected of these brands, including restaurants from top chefs, but also a few features new to the industry (think glass domes on the hull). Scott Laird, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Nov. 2023 In the domes, guests will find living and sleeping spaces, which come with king-size beds, kitchenettes, lounge areas with TVs, and separate bathroom domed areas with a soaking tub and shower. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 29 Sep. 2023 Dough that is properly risen will be domed with a visible network of bubbles. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023 In a café, opposite the grand, domed Helsinki cathedral, Lehtiniemi patiently listens to me describe that feeling. WIRED, 11 Sep. 2023 And all crude oil tanks will be required to be domed. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, Italian, & Latin; French dôme dome, cathedral, from Italian duomo cathedral, from Medieval Latin domus church, from Latin, house; akin to Greek domos house, Sanskrit dam

First Known Use

Noun

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1876, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dome was in 1513

Dictionary Entries Near dome

Cite this Entry

“Dome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dome. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dome

1 of 2 noun
1
: a large rounded roof or ceiling shaped like half of a ball
2
: a structure or natural formation that resembles the dome of a building
rock domes
3
: a roofed sports stadium

dome

2 of 2 verb
domed; doming
1
: to cover with or as if with a dome
2
: to form into or swell upward or outward like a dome
Etymology

Noun

from French dôme "mansion, cathedral" and Italian duomo "cathedral" and Latin domus "church," from earlier Latin domus "house" — related to domestic, domicile

Medical Definition

dome

noun
: a rounded-arch element in the wave tracing in an electroencephalogram
the spike and dome pattern characteristic of absence seizures

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