roundabout

[round-uh-bout, round-uh-bout, round-uh-bout]

adjective

1. circuitous or indirect, as a road, journey, method, statement or person.

   Synonyms: tortuous, tortuous, rambling, rambling

2. (of clothing) cut circularly at the bottom; having no tails, train, or the like.

noun

1. a short, close-fitting coat or jacket worn by men or boys, especially in the 19th century.

2. British.,  a merry-go-round.

3. a circuitous or indirect road, method, etc.

4. Chiefly British.,  traffic circle.

roundabout

/ ˈraʊndəˌbaʊt /

noun

1. a revolving circular platform provided with wooden animals, seats, etc, on which people ride for amusement; merry-go-round

2. US and Canadian name: traffic circle. a road junction in which traffic streams circulate around a central island

3. an informal name for boring mill

adjective

1. indirect or circuitous; devious

adverb

1. on all sides

   spectators standing round about

2. approximately

   at round about 5 o'clock

Word History and Origins

Origin of roundabout¹

1525–35; round ¹ (adv.) + about

Example Sentences

In some areas of the country, St George flags and union jacks have been raised on lampposts and painted on roundabouts, which Ms Choudry said made her uneasy.

From BBC

A video posted on Facebook showed a car driving through flood water on Cwmbwrla roundabout on Carmarthen Road - one of the main routes into Swansea.

From BBC

St George's Crosses have also been painted on roundabouts in Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Lincolnshire and Worcestershire, among others.

From BBC

Elsewhere in Sutton, red crosses have been painted on white mini roundabouts to emulate the pattern of the St George's cross.

From BBC

More floral arrangements depicting China's fight against Japan sit proudly on prominent roadsides and roundabouts.

From BBC