round·about
ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t 
: circuitous, indirect
had to take a roundabout route
roundaboutness
noun
1
: a circuitous route : detour
2
British
: merry-go-round
3
: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys especially in the 19th century
4
Examples of roundabout in a Sentence
Adjective
He took a roundabout route to town.
In a roundabout way, he told me that my help was not wanted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Walters, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
In 2020, the Supreme Court — in a roundabout way — ended the confusion by refusing to consider an appellate ruling that validated special taxes proposed by initiative and approved by simple majorities.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
In June, the council had voted to put protective metal bollards around part of the roundabout, which is located at El Portal Street’s intersection with Coast Highway in Leucadia.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
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Adjective
In 2020, the Supreme Court — in a roundabout way — ended the confusion by refusing to consider an appellate ruling that validated special taxes proposed by initiative and approved by simple majorities.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
In 2020, the Supreme Court — in a roundabout way — ended the confusion by refusing to consider an appellate ruling that validated special taxes proposed by initiative and approved by simple majorities.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
The roundabout is the appropriate solution to address traffic concerns, said Rob Hananouchi, a traffic engineer who completed a report examining patterns for the project.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
In June, the council had voted to put protective metal bollards around part of the roundabout, which is located at El Portal Street’s intersection with Coast Highway in Leucadia.
—Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
Cite this Entry
“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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