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
1
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."
2
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."
3
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- carousels
- Third person singular
- carousels
- Past tense
- carouseled, carouselled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
