geodesic dome

noun

1. a light, domelike structure developed by R. Buckminster Fuller to combine the properties of the tetrahedron and the sphere and consisting essentially of a grid of compression or tension members lying upon or parallel to great circles running in three directions in any given area, the typical form being the projection upon a sphere of an icosahedron, the triangular faces of which are filled with a symmetrical triangular, hexagonal, or quadrangular grid.

geodesic dome

noun

1. a light structural framework arranged as a set of polygons in the form of a shell and covered with sheeting made of plastic, plywood, metal, etc; developed by Buckminster Fuller

geodesic dome

1. A domed or vaulted structure of straight elements that form interlocking polygons.

Word History and Origins

Origin of geodesic dome¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Her boyfriend of two years recently proposed to her in a rented geodesic dome in the mountains near their home.

From New York Times

I’m also old enough to remember the craze over geodesic dome houses and A-frames, among other housing fads.

From Seattle Times

Let them scramble over a “sort of geodesic dome,” he suggested, formed of twiggy branches “bent down into a half-bubble,” inspired by Clematis he saw grown that way in England.

From Seattle Times

In an upstairs hallway, Phillips, who has done occasional promotional posts in exchange for Disney goods or tickets, painted a pattern reminiscent of Spaceship Earth, Epcot’s geodesic dome.

From Seattle Times

Its distinctive geodesic dome, memorialized by Quentin Tarantino in the 2019 film “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood,” has become more retro than futuristic over the years, a reminder of a Technicolor past.

From New York Times