arrondissement

American  

[uh-ron-dis-muhnt, ar-uhn-dees-, a-rawn-dees-mahn] / əˈrɒn dɪs mənt, ˌær ənˈdis-, a rɔ̃ disˈmɑ̃ /

noun

plural

arrondissements

1. the largest administrative division of a French department, comprising a number of cantons.

2. an administrative district of certain large cities in France.

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arrondissement British  

/ arɔ̃dismɑ̃ /

noun

1. the largest administrative subdivision of a department

2. a municipal district of certain cities, esp Paris

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Etymology

Origin of arrondissement

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

Example Sentences

The most recent was the Stade Charlety, a 20,000-capacity venue in a sleepy section of the 13th arrondissement, where the few fans who attended were separated from the field by a running track.

From The Wall Street Journal

She married at 18 years old, leaving her bourgeois family home in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, where she attended a private Catholic school.

From The Wall Street Journal

A motorcade of police escorted the 70-year-old from his home in the tony 16th arrondissement to the gates of Paris-La Santé prison in the heart of the French capital.

From The Wall Street Journal

I barged in on Romane and Justine, 20-something women having a late lunch at a sidewalk table in the third arrondissement.

From Los Angeles Times

Elegantly dressed, he holds a firm, wide stance, hands thrust in pockets, as he looks out over a smart urban intersection from an upper floor of his wealthy family’s new home in Paris’ fashionable 8th arrondissement.

From Los Angeles Times