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noun Common

dome

dohm

Dome (noun) means a rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling. Example: “Sunlight streamed through the glass dome above the atrium.”

noun
1
A rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling.
"Sunlight streamed through the glass dome above the atrium."
"The cathedral's dome can be seen from across the city."
2
Informal: a person's head.
"He scratched his dome, trying to remember the answer."

How to use dome

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rounded roof shaped like half a sphere; informally, someone's head.

Common pairings
a glass dome a domed ceiling

Word forms

domed past tense, domes plural, Domes plural, domes singular

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Test yourself on “dome” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Sunlight streamed through the glass _____ above the atrium.

Etymology

From Italian duomo, ultimately from Latin domus ecclesiae, "house of the church" — the same root as "domestic."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for dome

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Frequently asked questions

What does “dome” mean?

The word “dome” means a rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling. In plain terms, a rounded roof shaped like half a sphere; informally, someone's head.

How do you pronounce “dome”?

“Dome” is pronounced dohm (/dəʊm/ in IPA).

How do you use “dome” in a sentence?

Here is “dome” used in a sentence: “Sunlight streamed through the glass dome above the atrium.”

What part of speech is “dome”?

“Dome” is a noun.

Where does the word “dome” come from?

The word “dome” comes from Latin. From Italian duomo, ultimately from Latin domus ecclesiae, "house of the church" — the same root as "domestic.".

Is “dome” a common word?

“Dome” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “dome” have?

“Dome” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling.

What is the difference between a dome and a cupola?

A dome is a rounded, hemispherical roof or ceiling, often large and forming the main top of a building. A cupola is usually a smaller dome-like structure set on top of a roof or a larger dome, frequently used for light or ventilation, so a cupola is often a small dome while a dome can be the whole roof.

What is the difference between a dome and a vault?

A dome is a rounded roof shaped like half a sphere, curving in every direction from a central point. A vault is an arched ceiling that usually extends in one direction like a tunnel, so a dome curves around a point while a vault curves along a line.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial