gondola

American  

[gon-dl-uh, gon-doh-luh] / ˈgɒn dl ə, gɒnˈdoʊ lə /

noun

1. a long, narrow, flat-bottomed boat having a tall, ornamental stem and stern and sometimes a small cabin for passengers, rowed or poled by a single person who stands at the stern, facing forward: used especially on the canals of Venice, Italy.

2. a passenger compartment suspended beneath a balloon or airship.

3. an enclosed cabin suspended from an overhead cable, used to transport passengers up and down a ski slope or over scenic or treacherous terrain.

4. Also called gondola car.  an open railroad freight car with low sides, for transporting bulk freight and manufactured goods.

5. a truck whose bed or trailer is a hopper, as for transporting mixed cement.

6. a freestanding structure for displaying merchandise in a retail establishment, as a supermarket.

7. a chair or couch having a gondola back.

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gondola British  

/ ˈɡɒndələ /

noun

1. a long narrow flat-bottomed boat with a high ornamented stem and a platform at the stern where an oarsman stands and propels the boat by sculling or punting: traditionally used on the canals of Venice

2. 1. a car or cabin suspended from an airship or balloon

   2. a moving cabin suspended from a cable across a valley, etc

3. a flat-bottomed barge used on canals and rivers of the US as far west as the Mississippi

4. a low open flat-bottomed railway goods wagon

5. a set of island shelves in a self-service shop: used for displaying goods

6. a broadcasting booth built close to the roof over an ice-hockey arena, used by commentators

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Etymology

Origin of gondola

1540–50; < Italian < Venetian, probably < Medieval Greek kontoúra small boat used in coastal navigation, noun use of feminine of kóntouros short, clipped, literally, dock-tailed, equivalent to Late Greek kont ( ós ), kond ( ós ) short + Greek -ouros -tailed, adj. derivative of ourá tail

Explanation

A gondola is a narrow boat that's powered by a rower who stands at one end. If you visit Venice, you should ride along the canals in a gondola. Gondolas look a bit like long, skinny canoes with flat bottoms. They're lightweight boats that are almost entirely used for transportation and tourism in Venice, Italy, a city that's made up of many small islands linked by canals and bridges. During the 17th and 18th centuries, historians estimate there were as many as ten thousand gondolas in regular use there — today there are about 400. Enclosed ski lifts are also known as gondolas.

Example Sentences

Old World Gondoliers – Did you know that Indianapolis not only has a canal with beautiful views, but also Gondola Rides?

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

Or, Marks said, a primary sponsor might prefer naming rights to whatever development might rise atop the parking lots: Take the Verizon Gondola to the Verizon Village at Dodger Stadium!

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2023

The hub of the weeklong gathering was the Hythe, a short walk from the Eagle Bahn Gondola and the Born Free Express and Pride Express lifts.

From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2023

Case in point: The snafu that kept Whistler’s Creekside Gondola upgrade from opening in time for the start of the season.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 13, 2023

Gondola after gondola swept up to the marble steps, and left its lovely load to swell the brilliant throng that filled the stately halls of Count Adelon.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Related Words

• barge
• canoe
• catamaran
• craft
• dinghy
• raft
• sailboat
• schooner
• ship
• yacht