round·about
ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t 
: circuitous, indirect
had to take a roundabout route
roundaboutness
noun
1
: a circuitous route : detour
2
British
: merry-go-round
3
: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys especially in the 19th century
4
Examples of roundabout in a Sentence
Adjective
He took a roundabout route to town.
In a roundabout way, he told me that my help was not wanted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hali Bey Ramdene, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 July 2025
For instance, the state's program is funded by a fee on oil production instead of by taxpayers, which means the industry is, in a roundabout way, paying to clean up its own footprint.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 8 July 2025
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
The intersection of Centerville Road and County Road J will be fully closed for construction of a roundabout.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
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Adjective
So this ends up being a roundabout way of saying, whatever my most pressing need is kind of becomes my whole life.
—Hali Bey Ramdene, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 July 2025
For instance, the state's program is funded by a fee on oil production instead of by taxpayers, which means the industry is, in a roundabout way, paying to clean up its own footprint.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 8 July 2025
Noun
The two monument signs, each featuring a large natural coastal rock with a pelican statue perched atop it, are to be placed in the La Jolla Boulevard medians next to the pedestrian crossings south of the Colima Street roundabout and north of the Camino de la Costa roundabout.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
The intersection of Centerville Road and County Road J will be fully closed for construction of a roundabout.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
Cite this Entry
“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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