arrondissement

[ uh-ron-dis-muhnt, ar-uhn-dees-; French a-rawn-dees-mahn ]

noun

, plural ar·ron·disse·ments [uh, -, ron, -dis-m, uh, nts, a, -, r, aw, n, -dees-, mahn].

1. the largest administrative division of a French department, comprising a number of cantons.
2. an administrative district of certain large cities in France.

arrondissement

/ arɔ̃dismɑ̃ /

noun

1. the largest administrative subdivision of a department
2. a municipal district of certain cities, esp Paris

Word History and Origins

Origin of arrondissement¹

1800–10; < French, equivalent to arrondiss- (variant stem of arrondir to round out; a- ⁵, round ¹ ) + -ment -ment

Word History and Origins

Origin of arrondissement¹

C19: from arrondir to make round, from ab- ¹+ -rondir from rond round