rotunda

noun

ro·​tun·​da rō-ˈtən-də 

1

: a round building

especially : one covered by a dome

2

a

: a large round room

b

: a large central area (as in a hotel)

Examples of rotunda in a Sentence

We stood inside the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Recent Examples on the Web

There was a heavy police presence, with state troopers stationed around the rotunda. —Hannah Fingerhut, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025

Elon Musk sat in the front under a vast rotunda, not far from the real estate billionaire Steve Witkoff, now a White House special envoy to the Middle East, and Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law. —Rob Copeland, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025

Guests entered the iconic building to discover the ceremony space at the base of the rotunda’s grand staircase. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2025

There are several seating options throughout the space, from individual stools overlooking the rotunda to circular tables outfitted with purse hooks and power outlets. —Ryan Slattery, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian rotonda, from Latin rotunda, feminine of rotundus

First Known Use

circa 1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rotunda

• fenestra rotunda

Rhymes for rotunda

• lunda
• munda

Kids Definition

rotunda

noun

ro·​tun·​da rō-ˈtən-də 

1

: a round building

especially : one covered by a dome

2

a

: a large round room

b

: a large central area (as in a hotel)

Medical Definition

rotunda

see fenestra rotunda