noun

carousel

ka-ruh-SEHL

Carousel (noun) means a revolving amusement-park ride with seats, often shaped like horses, that riders sit on as it turns; a merry-go-round. Example: “The kids rode the carousel three times in a row.”

noun

A revolving amusement-park ride with seats, often shaped like horses, that riders sit on as it turns; a merry-go-round.

"The kids rode the carousel three times in a row."

"A painted carousel horse stood frozen mid-gallop."

Any rotating device used to display or deliver items, such as a baggage carousel or slide carousel.

"We waited by the carousel for our suitcases to appear."

A rotating on-screen display showing a series of images or items one at a time.

"The homepage features a carousel of featured products."

How to Use Carousel

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that rotates in a circle to display or deliver things — most familiar as the fairground ride, but also used for baggage claim belts and rotating website displays.

Common pairings

baggage carousel ride the carousel image carousel

Word Forms

carouseled past tense, carouselled past tense, carousels plural, carousels singular

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The kids rode the _____ three times in a row.

Etymology

From French carrousel, borrowed from Italian carosello, originally referring to elaborate tournament-style games performed by riders on horseback before it came to mean the fairground ride.

Origin: French

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “carousel” mean?

The word “carousel” means a revolving amusement-park ride with seats, often shaped like horses, that riders sit on as it turns; a merry-go-round. In plain terms, something that rotates in a circle to display or deliver things — most familiar as the fairground ride, but also used for baggage claim belts and rotating website displays.

How do you pronounce “carousel”?

“Carousel” is pronounced ka-ruh-SEHL (/ˌkæɹəˈsɛl/ in IPA).

How do you use “carousel” in a sentence?

Here is “carousel” used in a sentence: “The kids rode the carousel three times in a row.”

What part of speech is “carousel”?

“Carousel” is a noun.

Where does the word “carousel” come from?

The word “carousel” comes from French. From French carrousel, borrowed from Italian carosello, originally referring to elaborate tournament-style games performed by riders on horseback before it came to mean the fairground ride.

How many meanings does “carousel” have?

“Carousel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a revolving amusement-park ride with seats, often shaped like horses, that riders sit on as it turns; a merry-go-round.