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
National Museum of Natural History As visitors walk into the rotunda of the Museum of Natural History, right off the National Mall, they’re greeted by an 11-ton taxidermized African Bush elephant, affectionately nicknamed Henry.
—
Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Also admirable are other craft elements, notably the camera movement in two interior rotundas to capture the characters spiraling; the lighting of somber dough making scenes; and the use of songs of faith towards solemn worldbuilding, like when the Sisters cut the hair of lachrymose inductees.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
Former President Bill Clinton (L) and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) arrives for Donald Trumpâs inauguration as the next President of the United States in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2025.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
At points during the hours-long debate, cheers from a rally gathered in the Capitol rotunda outside the House chamber could be heard.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated August 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotunda
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.
Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Also admirable are other craft elements, notably the camera movement in two interior rotundas to capture the characters spiraling; the lighting of somber dough making scenes; and the use of songs of faith towards solemn worldbuilding, like when the Sisters cut the hair of lachrymose inductees.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 2025
Former President Bill Clinton (L) and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) arrives for Donald Trumpâs inauguration as the next President of the United States in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2025.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
At points during the hours-long debate, cheers from a rally gathered in the Capitol rotunda outside the House chamber could be heard.
—Eleanor Dearman
updated August 20, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rotunda
Cite this Entry
“Rotunda.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotunda. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share