arrondissement

American  

[uh-ron-dis-muhnt, ar-uhn-dees-, a-rawn-dees-mahn] / əˈrɒn dɪs mənt, ˌær ənˈdis-, a rɔ̃ disˈmɑ̃ /

noun

plural

arrondissements

1. the largest administrative division of a French department, comprising a number of cantons.

2. an administrative district of certain large cities in France.

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arrondissement British  

/ arɔ̃dismɑ̃ /

noun

1. the largest administrative subdivision of a department

2. a municipal district of certain cities, esp Paris

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Etymology

Origin of arrondissement

1800–10; < French, equivalent to arrondiss- (variant stem of arrondir to round out; see a- ⁵, round ¹) + -ment -ment

Example Sentences

Le Bon Marché, a luxury retail store in the 7th arrondissement in Paris, has two-week-long sales both in March and in October called “Très Bon Marché” days.

From Barron's • Mar. 8, 2026

Come nightfall, I walked to the 11th arrondissement, known for its dining and shopping.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

I barged in on Romane and Justine, 20-something women having a late lunch at a sidewalk table in the third arrondissement.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2025

This year’s winner, among 173 contestants competing in April, was Xavier Netry of Boulangerie Utopie in the 11th arrondissement of Paris.

From New York Times • May 6, 2024

Beside the bench, beneath a drop- cloth, a surprise: a complicated model of the 5th arrondissement.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr