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
Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The government arrived at that figure in a roundabout manner.
—Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Bonds Ranch improvements The Bonds Ranch project is a six-part project to remove roundabouts, widen lanes and add a bridge or tunnel around the BNSF railroad tracks.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
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Adjective
An economic opening would be a roundabout way of getting to the end goal, one close Rubio friend told USA TODAY.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
The government arrived at that figure in a roundabout manner.
—Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
Kleven said his company, which is developing the Aylesworth subdivision off of 109th Avenue, will be a good partner with the town, contributing $450,000 toward the construction of a roundabout on 117th Avenue.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Bonds Ranch improvements The Bonds Ranch project is a six-part project to remove roundabouts, widen lanes and add a bridge or tunnel around the BNSF railroad tracks.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 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 27 Mar. 2026.
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