onion dome

American  

noun

Architecture.

1. a bulbous, domelike roof ending in a sharp point, characteristically used in Russian Orthodox church architecture to cover cupolas or towers.

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onion dome British  

noun

1. a bulb-shaped dome characteristic of Byzantine and Russian church architecture

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Etymology

Origin of onion dome

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Nearby, at the Russian Orthodox church with an emerald onion dome, a woman behind the closed gates explained that the church, despite its usual operating hours, was now closed to visitors.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2022

And for your birthday this year, you’ll get some borscht Served in an onion dome.

From Washington Post • Mar. 25, 2015

The Masonic Lodge at 24050 W. Lockport St. is an iconic building with its turret and onion dome corner.

From Washington Times • Nov. 29, 2014

But he has hinted at the possibility of some day reopening the 1,750-room hotel, distinguished for its Moroccan architectural motifs and brightly lit entrance capped by an onion dome.

From Reuters • May 16, 2011

Planned in part by Bob's wife Sara, the Malibu, Calif., estate features a $40,000 swimming pool and a $16,000 copper onion dome.

From Time Magazine Archive