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
Josh Robbins, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The nightly viewership of the somewhat antiquated TV format can no longer justify the expense — at least, that’s the roundabout reason CBS gave for canceling The Late Show.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Since then, contractors have pushed to start work on the roundabout.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
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.
Adjective
Part of Poole’s Wizards legacy is that his contract, in a slightly roundabout way, helped the Wizards bring Young aboard.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The nightly viewership of the somewhat antiquated TV format can no longer justify the expense — at least, that’s the roundabout reason CBS gave for canceling The Late Show.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
The contractor also will build a roundabout at Bailey Road/Poole Place Drive/Bailey Road Extension, officials said.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 11 Mar. 2026
Since then, contractors have pushed to start work on the roundabout.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
Cite this Entry
“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
