dome

noun \ ˈdōm \

Updated on: 28 Nov 2017

Definition of dome

1 archaic : a stately building : mansion

2 : a large hemispherical roof or ceiling

3 : a natural formation or structure that resembles the dome or cupola of a building

4 : a form of crystal composed of planes parallel to a lateral axis that meet above in a horizontal edge like a roof

5 : an upward fold in rock whose sides dip uniformly in all directions

6 : a roofed sports stadium

7 : a person's head

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domal

play \ˈdō-məl\ adjective

See dome defined for English-language learners

See dome defined for kids

Examples of dome in a Sentence

the dome of the Capitol building
The team's new stadium is a dome.

Recent Examples of dome from the Web

Its steamy breath vents skyward from a lava dome that is taller than the Space Needle.

— john nelson, The Seattle Times, "Autumn is good time to climb ‘mind-boggling’ Mount St. Helens," 13 Sep. 2017
That impression came together with a cartoon that looked an awful lot like a certain chrome dome.

— joanna robinson, vanityfair.com, "Legion: A Spoiler-Free Public Service Announcement About Tonight’s Finale," 29 Mar. 2017
Since the Austin test in 2016, the Waymo vehicle has evolved from a gumdrop-like looking car into a Chrysler Pacifica minivan that looks pretty normal, save for a dome on the roof about the size of an old-style police cruiser’s flashing light.

— ashley halsey iii, Washington Post, "A glimpse inside the secret site where driverless cars undergo 20,000 tests," 4 Nov. 2017
Visit the Frost Science Museum and Planetarium for a fusion of music and old-school laser light visuals under the Planetarium’s 67-foot dome.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "What to do with the kids this weekend: Day of the Dead, carnivals," 1 Nov. 2017
Stone Mountain State Park is also known for the massive granite dome that keeps watch on visitors who camp, hike, climb, fish, picnic and ride horseback.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "NC boasts hundreds of waterfalls. Check out 14 of our favorites. | Charlotte Observer," 20 Oct. 2017
Drag the ball toward you, using friction against the work surface to create tension and stretch the surface of the dough into a smooth, taut dome.

— claire saffitz, Bon Appetit, "Buttery Pull-Apart Dinner Rolls," 17 Oct. 2017
The Wildcats will be rocking their chrome domes against the Gators.

— joe mussatto, ajc, "Kentucky football: Wildcats to wear chrome helmets for Florida game," 19 Sep. 2017
The structure was massive and beautiful, especially when the dome was lit up at night by dragonfire.

— joanna robinson, vanityfair.com, "Game of Thrones: Does This Stunning New Location Spell Another Tragedy?," 27 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dome.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of dome

French, Italian, & Latin; French dôme dome, cathedral, from Italian duomo cathedral, from Medieval Latin domus church, from Latin, house; akin to Greek domos house, Sanskrit dam

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1513

See Words from the same year

dome Synonyms

Synonyms

bean, block [slang], head, mazard (or mazzard) [chiefly dialect], nob, noddle, noggin, noodle, nut [slang], pate, poll

Related Words

cranium, crown, scalp, skull; occiput

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

dome

verb

Definition of dome

domed; doming

transitive verb

1 : to cover with a dome

2 : to form into a dome

intransitive verb

: to swell upward or outward like a dome

First Known Use of dome

1876

DOME Defined for English Language Learners

dome

noun

Definition of dome for English Language Learners

: a large rounded roof or ceiling that is shaped like half of a ball
: a structure that looks like the dome of a building
: a stadium that is covered by a roof

DOME Defined for Kids

dome

noun \ ˈdōm \

Definition of dome for Students

1 : a rounded top or roof that looks like half of a ball

2 : a rounded structure

An igloo is a dome of ice.

Medical Dictionary

dome

noun \ ˈdōm \

medical Definition of dome

: a rounded-arch element in the wave tracing in an electroencephalogram

the spike and dome pattern characteristic of absence seizures

Learn More about dome

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dome Spanish Central: Translation of dome Nglish: Translation of dome for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dome for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dome

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dome

Definition of dome

domal

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Examples of dome in a Sentence

Recent Examples of dome from the Web

Origin and Etymology of dome

dome Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Architecture Terms

dome

Definition of dome

First Known Use of dome

DOME Defined for English Language Learners

dome

Definition of dome for English Language Learners

DOME Defined for Kids

dome

Definition of dome for Students

Medical Dictionary

dome

medical Definition of dome

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