roundabout

[[t]ra͟ʊndəbaʊt[/t]]

roundabouts

1) N-COUNT A roundabout is a circular structure in the road at a place where several roads meet. You drive round it until you come to the road that you want. [BRIT]

Syn:

island

(in AM, use traffic circle)

2) N-COUNT A roundabout at a fair is a large, circular mechanical device with seats, often in the shape of animals or cars, on which children sit and go round and round. [BRIT]

(in AM, use , carousel)

3) N-COUNT A roundabout in a park or school play area is a circular platform that children sit or stand on. People push the platform to make it spin round. [BRIT]

(in AM, use merry-go-round)

4) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you go somewhere by a roundabout route, you do not go there by the shortest and quickest route.

He left today on a roundabout route for Jordan and is also due soon in Egypt.

Syn:

circuitous

5) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n If you do or say something in a roundabout way, you do not do or say it in a simple, clear, and direct way.

We made a bit of a fuss in a roundabout way.

...using indirect or roundabout language in place of a precise noun.

Syn:

indirect

Ant:

direct

6) round about → see round

swings and roundabouts → see swing